With the match in its final ticks of stoppage time, former Gator All-American Abby Wambach headed in the U.S.’s second goal to push Sunday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal match with Brazil to penalty kicks.
Wambach scored the latest goal in Women’s World Cup history when she headed home a cross from Megan Rapinoe to tie the match at 2-2 in the second minute of stoppage time in the second and final 15-minute overtime period. The USA then showed tremendous composure to convert all five of its penalty kicks in the shootout with U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo saving Brazil’s third attempt by Daiane to give the U.S. the margin of victory.
Ali Krieger, who has played the last four years in Germany for FFC Frankfurt, nailed the fifth and decisive penalty after Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Wambach and Rapinoe had all scored. Boxx initially had her shot saved, but replays showed that Brazilian goalkeeper Andreia had moved off her line early, and the kick was correctly ordered to be retaken by Australian referee Jacqui Melksham. Boxx calmly converted her second attempt to get the USA started in the shootout.
The USA will now travel to Mönchengladbach where it will face France in the semifinal on July 13 with a kickoff at 11:30 a.m. ET live on ESPN, ESPN3.com and Galavision.
