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The Independent UK

Joe Levy

France vs USA preview: Key players, previous meetings, odds, TV details and more

Holders USA defeated hosts France 2-1 in Paris to advance to the Women's World Cup semi-finals and set up a clash against England.

US talisman Megan Rapinoe gave USA an early lead after just five minutes as her free-kick zipped through the legs of all the bodies crowded in the box and snuck in at the near-post. And then, in the second-half, Rapinoe snatched a second against the run of play, just as France had begun to apply pressure, with the USA on course to advance into the semi-finals.

However, with ten minutes to play, Wendie Renard was left unmarked in the box and headed home to give the hosts a breath of hope and set up a thrilling finale, but the holders just about manager to hold on for victory.

2019-06-28T15:22:50.676Z

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of France vs USA in the second Women's World Cup quarter-final.

The two tournament favourites meet in Paris after both reaching the last eight unscathed.

France progressed serenely through the group stage before squeezing past Australia in extra-time last weekend.

2015 winners USA also breezed through to top their group before relying on two Megan Rapinoe penalties to beat Spain in the last 16.

We will have all the latest for you from the Parc des Princes.

2019-06-28T17:50:09.430Z

We're little over an hour away from a true heavyweight World Cup quarter-final and one which, in all honesty, is well befitting of a final.

Hosts France take on defending champions USA, who have continued in such a lethal vein of form. But who are the favourites?

Predicting how France vs USA will play out

2019-06-28T17:51:47.300Z

However, the USWNT have been fighting a battle off the field too, with their ongoing lawsuit against US Soccer still ongoing. Today, a Guardian investigation revealed that the women's side has been paid six times less in World Cup bonuses than the men's team.

US women's football team paid £575,000 less than men’s side

2019-06-28T18:04:42.796Z

Last night, the Lionesses pulled off a fantastic victory against Norway to advance to the semi-finals. Here's Mark Critchley's report from Le Havre:

England are into the Women's World Cup semi-finals

2019-06-28T18:07:36.966Z

And this is what that heroic victory means as the Lionesses prepare to face the winner of tonight's match:

England’s ‘legacy moment’ arrives with next 10 days to reveal all

2019-06-28T18:13:44.453Z

Team News

France

Bouhaddi, Torrent, Bathy, Renard, Majri, Henry, Thiney, Bussaglia, Diani, Gauvin, Le Sommer.

Subs: Durand, Perisset, Tounkara, Karchaoui, Geyoro, Laurent, Bilbault, Asseyi, Cascarino, Debever, Clemaron, Peyraud-Magnin.

USA

Naeher, O'Hara, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Dunn, Lavelle, Ertz, Mewis, Heath, Morgan, Rapinoe.

Subs: Harris, Pugh, Brian, Horan, Lloyd, Krieger, Davidson, Sonnett, Long, McDonald, Press, Franch.

2019-06-28T18:26:05.216Z

Changes

France make one change from the team that narrowly beat Brazil in the last 16. Gaetane Thiney starts in place of Viviane Asseyi.

USA, meanwhile, are unchanged, as expected. They'll be hoping for a repeat of Monday night's performance against Spain.

2019-06-28T18:36:55.770Z

The heat is almost certain to play a part in tonight's game. It's been sweltering across France throughout the day, with a record temperature of 45.9C recorded.

It's not going to be quite that hot at the Parc des Princes come kick off. But it will be hard work nonetheless for both teams.

2019-06-28T18:51:18.810Z

France, as the hosts, will be expecting to win tonight. They have a team filled with quality - six of tonight's starting XI play for Lyon, by far and away the most successful club in Europe. Corinne Diacre's side have won 17 of their last 18 games in all competitions, too.

The US have been equally strong over the course of this World Cup, although their 2-1 victory over Spain was not entirely convincing. Their 13-0 win over Thailand remains the highlight of their tournament so far.

Alex Morgan got five goals in that game, enough to take her level with England's Ellen White and Australia's Sam Kerr at the top of the scoring charts. She'll have the Golden Boot in her sights.

2019-06-28T18:57:56.170Z

The players are out at the Parc des Princes and the national anthems have been sung! Kick off is just a couple of minutes away...

KICK OFF

2019-06-28T19:02:48.970Z

France get things underway and immediately launch the ball into the US half.

2019-06-28T19:04:39.230Z

France 0-0 USA

1 minute

An early effort on goal from the US. Ertz find space on the edge of the France box and fires off a powerful shot. It's a comfortable save in the end, though, for Bouhaddi.

YELLOW CARD

2019-06-28T19:06:21.760Z

France 0-0 USA

4 minutes

USA are looking dangerous on the break early on. A ball in behind is latched onto by Alex Morgan, who goes down under a challenge from Mbock on the edge of the French box. The latter picks up the game's first yellow card.

GOAL!

2019-06-28T19:07:17.983Z

GOAL! France 0-1 USA (Rapinoe)

5 minutes

USA lead! What a start. Rapinoe’s free kick is drilled in hard and low, and it goes through everyone. The goalkeeper, unsighted by a sea of blue and white shirts, can do nothing to keep it out.

2019-06-28T19:12:52.300Z

France 0-1 USA

10 minutes

France are struggling to get a foothold in the game early on. Their forays forward have been sporadic and their passing slightly erratic. The US will be delighted with how things are going so far.

2019-06-28T19:16:01.543Z

France 0-1 USA

14 minutes

Much better from France. They work the ball out to the left flank, from where the ball is crossed in to Eugenie le Sommer. Her header, from a fair way out, doesn't quite have the necessary power to beat Naeher.

At the other end, USA break quickly and Morgan gets a left-footed snapshot off. It's comfortably saved.

2019-06-28T19:19:24.923Z

France 0-1 USA

16 minutes

It's entertaining, end-to-end football at the minute! France are growing in confidence going forward but leaving gaps for the US to exploit on the break. And that is a risky approach. Bouhaddi races out from the France box to stop Rapinoe latching onto a ball in behind.

2019-06-28T19:25:02.456Z

France 0-1 USA

22 minutes

There's a few signs that France are coming into this game. They've seen slightly more of the ball and stemmed the flow of US attacks since the early stages. But clear chances remain elusive for the hosts.

2019-06-28T19:30:32.190Z

France 0-1 USA

28 minutes

The tempo has died down after a frantic few minutes following the opening goal. USA are content to keep their shape, to wait for France to commit players forward. They're doing a good job defensively so far.

2019-06-28T19:34:17.513Z

France 0-1 USA

32 minutes

A good spell of pressure from France. Diani robs Dunn of the ball and races forward, winning a corner from which Henry glances a header wide.