U.S. beats Germany to enter Women’s World Cup finals

The United States reached the final of the women’s soccer World Cup for the second time in a row on Tuesday, taking advantage of a dubious penalty to beat top-ranked Germany 2-0 in a hugely enjoyable game played in Montreal, Canada.

The United States dominated possession in the first half, but the closest they came to scoring was when Tobin Heath put Alex Morgan clear after 14 minutes, but her shot was blocked by German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer.

The Germans had a great chance to take the lead in the 63rd minute when U.S. defender Julie Johnston was adjudged to have dragged down Alexandra Popp but escaped with just a yellow card.

Celia Sasic took the spot kick but put it wide of the post.

Six minutes later, captain Carli Lloyd converted her spot kick in the 69th minute after the Romanian referee ruled that Annike Krahn had obstructed Alex Morgan. Replays showed the offence clearly took place outside the box.

Substitute Kelley O’Hara flicked the ball home from close range in the 84th minute to seal a merited victory in front of a passionate Montreal crowd of more than 51,000, most of them Americans.

The United States – who lost in the 2011 final to Japan – will meet the winners of the Japan and England semi-final in Vancouver this Sunday.