USA are previous World Cup champions and it is their only aim this year to come out of the tournament as winners again. Australia, knowing this, stated before the match that they were not intent on making this an easy game for the Americans.
The second of the “Deadliest Group” matches began with a bit of a slow start. But, in the 12th minute, USA's midfielder Megan Rapinoe kicks off the excitement with the first goal of the game, and the second World Cup goal in her career.
After the USA's first goal, it had appeared as though Australia were going to make an immediate response after being down 1-0, but goalkeeper Hope Solo saved the day, reminding us all of why she is one of the top goalkeepers in the world.
Australia's forward Lisa De Vanna was keen to have a goal in her 100th International Cap, and in the 27th minute, she was not disappointed when – with the help of some fantastic team work – she knocked it straight into the goal, levelling the score to 1-1.
By half time, both sides had one goal each which left USA under a lot of pressure to up their game, especially as the Australian's had been defending extremely well throughout by constantly having a group of players around the ball.
In the last 30 minutes of the game, 26 year old American forward Christen Press took an amazing opportunity to score, and effortlessly restored the team's winners post by bringing them up 2-1 in her first Women's World Cup.
Australia at this point were under considerable pressure to bring the score back up for themselves, but spent a little too much time passing the ball between players in the middle of the pitch. Rapinoe decided to take the reigns here, snatched the ball from them and brought it all the way down and into their final goal of the game in the final 15 minutes.
We had predicted 3-1 for this match, and that is how the game concluded. Congratulation to USA who are currently first in their group (Group D).
Will they keep this place as the games continue? Let us know your thoughts on our twitter page and use our hashtag #wwc15df.
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