Clinical United States sink France to reach final

The United States are through to their third FIFA Women's World Cup final after completing a 3-1 win against France in Monchengladbach.

In a close-fought contest France appeared to be in the ascendancy when Sonia Bompastor cancelled out Laura Cheney's early opener ten minutes after the restart but the clinical finishing of Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan in the last 11 minutes proved decisive.

Though France started the match well, with Marie-Laure Delie's shot deflecting over the bar and Louisa Necib forcing goalkeeper Hope Solo to tip her effort over moments later, it was Pia Sundhage's side who took the lead. Heather O'Reilly raced down the left and crossed for Laura Cheney to finish from close range. Carli Lloyd and Wambach then headed presentable chances wide before Les Bleues roused themselves, Gaëtane Thiney being frustrated by a superb Solo save on the half-hour.

Bompastor came even closer with an angled long shot that crashed off the bar, but the French midfielder would not be denied when her intended cross eluded Thiney, deceived Solo and went in off the far post. Now France had the bit between their teeth. Camille Abily's rasping drive just cleared the woodwork, before Solo conceded possession to Eugénie Le Sommer who squandered her opportunity.

Despite France's dominance in possession, however, it was the two-time tournament winners who emerged victorious, their superior finishing the difference between the teams. First the towering Wambach rose highest to nod Cheney's hanging corner past Bérangère Sapowicz. Then, three minutes later, substitute Morgan ran through to deliver the clinching blow from a tight angle.