USWNT go atop Group G following 1-0 win over France
- Aug 6, 2016
- 4 min read
The United States Women's National Team won their second group match of the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, beating France 1-0 on Saturday to go top of Group G.
France were the better team in the 1st half, generating a handful of chances but failing to convert.
The United States improved after the break, and Carli Lloyd scored the winner in the 63rd minute.
Les Bleues came close to an equaliser on multiple occasions, but U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo stood her ground and claimed her clean sheet, as the U.S. grabbed their second win of the tournament.
This matchup was a battle for first place as both teams won their opening matches, with France cruising past Colombia 4-0 and the U.S. beating New Zealand 2-0.
France controlled the pace early, displaying a physical style of football in the midfield duels and high press on the player in possession. The World champions were forced to play the ball back to Solo often, as France's high press allow little room to progress forward.
Chances were few for both teams in the opening stages. However, France were close to opening the score after 15 minutes when Wendie Renard found space on a free-kick and powered a header toward the goal, which Solo parried off of the crossbar.
Renard again tried to score an opener, but the United States were able to clear after a physical mix-up.
France continued to press, as Louisa Cadamuro tried a shot from distance, missing the target, and Marie-Laure Delie forced Solo to make a save from a tight angle.
France specialized on set-pieces, where they took full benefit of their advantage in size. Meanwhile the U.S. aimed for possession as they attack as a group, getting their defenders up along the pitch.
Les Bleues had many opportunities for a counter-attack, however, no real chances could be created as their lack of pace allowed the United States to recover and regain possession.
Cadamuro gave away a free-kick on a sloppy foul in a deadly position, handing the U.S. their first real chance. That chance gave a poor result when Tobin Heath's attempt flew over the bar.
The game went on with no notable chances. Cadamuro, again attempted a long range shot, sailing wide of the post. Tobin Heath wasted an attacking position, failing to pick out any teammate with a cross from the left wing.
Delie came close to grabbing the opening goal just before the break, using her strength to create space and create a chance. She rushed her shot, mistakenly firing the ball right at Solo.
The score was still 0-0 going into the break, despite France dominating the possession throughout the duration.
The Stars and Stripes started the second half with a new attacking mindset, getting a corner almost immediately. France, However slowed down in tempo, sitting back in their defensive zone to contend with the Americans' high defensive line.
But once again, the pressure didn't lead to chances. Morgan Brian nearly ran through the French defence with a great run, but goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi read the play and acted quickly to get off her line to sweep the ball and clear all danger.
Bouhaddi nearly conceded a fatal mistake just minutes later as she let a low cross slip from her grasp. Fortunately for France, Alex Morgan couldn't keep the ball in play.
In the 63rd minute, the Stars and Stripes took the lead. Heath fired a shot off the post, and the rebound fell right into the feet of Carli Lloyd, who simply passed the ball into the net.
France now scrambling for an equalizer, Elise Bussaglia tried her luck with a vigorous attempt, poorly striking the ball and lobbing the ball wide of the goal.
Renard came legitimately close on another set-piece, just failing to find a teammate as the ball floated past the post.
Delie tested Solo's reflexes with an ambitious header, but the veteran goalkeeper was at on top of it, making a fine save.
France were nearly rewarded an equalizer when Ali Krieger blasted the ball into her own side-netting, coming so close to an own goal.
Morgan came close to tallying a second goal for the U.S. with a shot from distance.
In the other end, Solo was quick to react after Renard brought down cross. Late press from the French women didn't produce any results as the defending Olympic champions held on to secure a second win in the group stage.
France will meet New Zealand in their final match of the group stage on Tuesday, while the U.S. will take on Colombia.
Solo spoke to the media about her brilliant performance and huge save on Delie in the 41st minute, per the Associated Press, via ESPN.com
"She was getting free and I knew she was going to crack a shot as soon as she saw the goal, so I just tried to close her as quickly as I could. And I as I closed her -- some people think she went through my legs on purpose because it was the only part that was open because I had her closed down -- I don't really think so, I think she just tried to crack a shot."
Her outstanding performance allowed Lloyd to propel the United States into leading Group G.
As long as the U.S. keeps finding the back of the net, while Solo continues to produce outstanding performances, the United States should have no difficulty going far into the tournament.
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