Germany and the United States, the top two teams in the Fifa rankings, set up a semi-final clash in the Women’s World Cup on Friday by beating France and China, respectively.
Top-ranked Germany, winners in 2003 and 2007, won a penalty shootout 5-4 to break French hearts after the match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes in Montreal.
The second-ranked Americans, champions in 1991 and 1999, overpowered China 1-0 in front of a crowd of just over 24,000 in Ottawa’s Lansdowne Stadium thanks to a second-half goal from captain Carli Lloyd.
“The confidence was slowly building and I would say that after this game it really helped us,” Lloyd said.
“It was just great, the more pressure we put China under the more they coughed up the ball.
“We just kept our foot down on the pedal and that was just what we needed.
“It’s what we needed and we’re going to be flying in the next game.”
The ease with which the Americans won was in contrast to Germany’s victory.
They struggled against third-ranked France in front of an enthusiastic crowd of just under 25,000 in the largely French-speaking city of Montreal.
Louisa Necib, dubbed the “Female Zidane” of the French women’s game, missed a chance to score after just 49 seconds, before she finally nailed the opener on 64 minutes.
“We were better, we dominated and they’re going to play the semi-final,” Necib said.
“It’s always the same feeling when you lose — disappointment.”
Celia Sasic levelled for Germany with a penalty six minutes from time, and in extra time substitute Gaetane Thiney wasted a late chance to put France into the last four for the second straight time.
Germany captain Nadine Angerer, the goalkeeper, was the player of the day as she saved 20-year-old substitute Claire Lavogez’s final penalty in the shootout.
“We’re extremely elated, full of adrenalin right now,” said Angerer, who was in goal for Germany’s championships in 2003 and 2007.
“It was hard work. We had to fight really hard and we were rewarded.”
Germany coach Silvia Neid conceded it was a tough game.
“We had to run after it and France were really ahead of us in the first half. But in the second half we really fought hard,” Neid said.
“Our team has proven their character. They managed to flick that switch in the second half and then to get a penalty shootout where you have the goalie who can hold those penalties.”
Germany, who were shocked in the quarter-finals of their home tournament in 2011, will fight for a place in their fifth final on Tuesday in Montreal.
The US victory was their 25th in succession over China, including a shootout win in the 1999 final, and takes the 2011 runners-up into their seventh semi-final in as many editions of the tournament.
Champions Japan, who beat the US in a penalty shootout to take the title four years ago, play 10th-ranked Australia in their quarter-final in Edmonton on Saturday, while England tackle hosts Canada in Vancouver.
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