REIMS, France _ The U.S. women's national soccer team escaped with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Spain in a Women's World Cup round-of-16 game Monday, sending the Americans on to meet host France in the quarterfinals Friday in Paris.
Both goals came on penalty kicks by Megan Rapinoe, the first in the seventh minute and the second in the 75th. The two scores were the Americans' first from the spot in this tournament.
Jennifer Hermoso pulled Spain even two minutes after the first one, following a poor clearance from U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher. The pass, intended for Becky Sauerbrunn, was stolen by Spain's Lucia Garcia, who fed Hermoso, and the Atletico Madrid striker pushed toward the edge of the box before chipping a shot over the rapidly retreating Naeher.
The goal was Hermoso's third of this Women's World Cup _ and her first from open play. It was just the fourth for Spain in the tournament.
It was also the first the U.S. has allowed in the World Cup and the first it has given up anywhere since an April friendly with Australia.
The first penalty was earned by Tobin Heath, who was chasing a long ball over the top when she was tripped in the box by Spain's Maria Leon. After a quick VAR check, the PK was awarded and Rapinoe converted, slotting the ball into the lower left corner.
The second came after Spain's Virginia Torrecilla was called for tripping Rose Lavelle as the U.S. midfielder dashed from right to left through the box in the 71st minute.
After a lengthy video review, Hungarian referee Katalin Kulcsar pointed to the spot and Rapinoe converted into the lower left corner, sending the U.S. on and sending Spain home.
Alex Morgan had originally set up to take the PK, but during the VAR review, the team came to the U.S. bench and when it went back on the field, Rapinoe stood over the ball.
Spain, which didn't win a match in its Women's World Cup debut four years ago, not only advanced from group play this year but also wound up giving the top-ranked U.S. all it could handle.
The heat index at game time was 91 degrees, nearly 30 degrees warmer than the temperature the U.S. played in during its final group-stage game in the port city of Le Havre last week.
