PARIS (AFP) – Megan Rapinoe scored a brace of penalties as holder the United States beat Spain, 2-1, on Monday to march on to a mouthwatering quarterfinal against host France at the women’s World Cup, with Sweden joining them in the last eight.
On another day in the limelight for VAR, Sweden’s goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl made a brilliant second-half penalty save as her country edged out Canada, 1-0, in Paris, meaning they advance to a similarly enticing tie against Germany.
The showdown between the holders and the hosts had seemed inevitable from the moment the draw was made back in December, but after France labored to beat Brazil in extra time on Sunday, the USA did not find the going easy against Spain in Reims.
