On the anniversary of the epic final of the 1999 Women’s World Cup, the day’s quarterfinals had much to live up to – and may have exceeded that standard.
» Sweden 03-01 Australia: The Aussies were two goals down in Augsburg after just sixteen minutes, as Therese SJÖGRAN and Lisa DAHLKVIST found net. Five minutes before the break, Ellyse PERRY pulled one back, but in the 52nd minute, a mistaken passback by Kim CARROLL gifted a clear look on goal, and Lotta SCHELIN made no mistake.
» Brazil 02-02 United States [F/OT; PK: 03-05]: The spectators in Dresden were treated to another historic Brazil-US tie that saw the Americans take the lead two minutes in on a DAIANE own goal. In the 66th minute, referee Jacqui MELKSHAM made the first of her many decisions that will draw heavy scrutiny. In a tieup between MARTA and Rachel BUEHLER, Melksham astonishingly gave not only a penalty to Brazil but a red to Buehler. CRISTIANE’s penalty was saved by Hope SOLO, but Melksham ordered a retake, apparently believing that a US player had encroached in the area. Marta took the second penalty and equalised. She then added a well taken chip to the far post early in extra time. Then, deep into stoppage time of extra time – the 122nd minute – the US, still down a woman, equalised with an Abby WAMBACH header from a perfect cross from Megan RAPINOE. This forced a penalty shootout, won by the US on the strength of Solo’s save of Daiane.
» Semifinal matchups: Japan-Sweden, France-United States