England Again Falls Short In Semi-Final

T. James

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For their third consecutive major tournament and their second straight FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Lionesses of England have been knocked out of contention in the semi-final round.

England followed-up their Canada 2015 World Cup semi-final loss to Japan with another semi-final loss two years later at the 2017 UEFA European Women’s Tournament, this time to the Netherlands women. The Lionesses’ latest semi-final setback came at the hands of the high-flying United States women.

In a competitive encounter between the two teams, the United States women prevailed with a 2 - 1 victory – their third consecutive winning scoreline in the knock-out stages.

Pressure from the United States women started early, with Rose Lavelle threatening the England goal with a left-footed strike coming on the heels of a fine move from the right wing in the 4th minute of play. Less than two minutes later, Alex Morgan, who captained her side on the night, was inches away from connecting on a header in the box off a free kick after a foul by Jill Scott.

It was no surprise then when the United States women took the lead in the 10th minute through a header by Christen Press, her first of the tournament, off a cross-in from the right by Kelly O’Hara.

England responded quickly, however, scoring their equalizing goal in the 20th minute, with Ellen White beautifully converting Beth Mead’s cross from the left flank. That goal marked White’s sixth of the tournament.

The United States narrowly escaped conceding an own goal in the 29th minute when defender Becky Sauerbrunn deflected Mead’s cross inches wide, with U.S. goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher well-beaten. Just three minutes later, however, the United States women regained the lead with another header off another cross. Morgan was the goalscorer this time, heading in Lindsey Horan’s cross for her sixth goal of the tournament. Morgan celebrated her goal by sipping from an imaginary cup.

England was close to levelling the tie up once more with a minute of falling behind, but Naeher produced a fine save to prevent Kiera Walsh’s shot from outside the box from finding the back of the net.

The United States women continued pressing the rest of the first half but were unable to secure a third goal before the end of the half.

The United States missed a good opportunity to take the lead when Press intercepted England goalkeeper, Carly Telford’s pass just outside the England box. Press went for a curler, which missed to the right of Telford’s goal. A likely better option would have been a pass to Alex Morgan who was open in a better position closer to goal.

The English women thought they had equalized once more in the 67th minute when Ellen White produced a tidy finish inside the box. White’s goal was overruled, however, by a tight offside call after a VAR review by referee Edina Batista.

Late on in the half, England received a lifeline to tie the game when they were awarded a penalty after another VAR review showed Sauerbrunn fouled White as she attempted to shoot on goal. Sauerbrunn received a yellow card for the foul. England captain, Steph Houghton, stepped up to take the penalty but U.S. goalkeeper, Naeher, was up to the task, producing a good save to maintain her side’s lead.

The challenge faced by the English women to level the tie became even harder in the 86th minute, after Millie Bright was shown a second yellow card for her rough challenge on Alex Morgan.

The United States closed out the win to advance to the final game of this year’s tournament and awaits the winner of the second semi-final game between the Netherlands and Sweden.

England faces the loser of that game, with the hopes of salvaging a third-place finish to the tournament.

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