Jennifer Hermoso
Goal
9' GOAAALLL!!! Spain respond quickly and bring things back level! After some sloppy play from the US at the back, Garcia clipped the ball away from a defender and played the ball over to Hermoso who finished with a looping effort over a charging Naeher! Horrible defending there and the Spaniards capitalise! Spain 1-0 United States
9' With Rapinoe's penalty goal, the United States have now scored four goals in the opening fifteen minutes at this tournament. No one else has more than three.
LucÃa GarcÃa
Assist
9' Assist LucÃa GarcÃa Córdoba
M. Rapinoe
Penalty Goal
7' GOOOAAALLL!!! The United States take the lead! After Heath won the penalty, Rapinoe stepped up from the spot and finished her right-footed effort cleanly into the bottom-left corner! The 'keeper dove the wrong way and had no chance on that one! Spain 0-1 United States
5' PENALTY CALLED! Heath dribbled down the right channel and, after cutting inside in the penalty area, was tripped up by Leon and the referee points to the spot!
5' Morgan has gone to ground off the ball two times now and has a word with the referee after the second.
3' The United States slowing things down a bit now as the defenders pass the ball amongst themselves.
1' Spain get forward within the first minute as Hermoso loses O'Hara down the left wing. The former whips in a cross but there are no team-mates in the box and the US eventually clear.
1' Referee Katalin Kulcsar blows her whistle, and this match is underway!
The teams are out on the pitch as the national anthems sound around the Stade Auguste-Delaune. Not long to go until kick-off now!
Just one change for the United States following their 2-0 win against Sweden as Horan is replaced by Ertz in midfield. The latter had been struggling with injury but has clearly shown enough to come into the starting side for this match. The attention today will surely fall upon Alex Morgan though, who leads this tournament in both goals (five) and assists (three) thus far. If she fails to make enough of an impact today though, coach Jill Ellis can always turn to Carli Lloyd from the bench who is now four goals shy of Abby Wambach’s 14 - the most Women’s World Cup goals by an American in history.
Two changes for Spain after their 0-0 draw with China to round out the group stage. Losada and Putellas both come into the starting line-up while Mariona and Garcia both drop out. The latter two have been bright for Spain throughout this tournament but, having failed to deliver a final product, both are removed. As a result, Hermoso will lead the line by herself for the first time since their 3-1 win against South Africa. Can she find the net against the vaunted defence of the United States today?
United States substitutes: Ashlyn Harris, Mallory Pugh, Tierna Davidson, Ali Krieger, Allie Long, Lindsey Horan, Carli Lloyd, Christen Press, Morgan Brian, Adrianna Franch, Jessica McDonald, Emily Sonnett.
United States (4-3-3): Alyssa Naeher; Kelley O’Hara, Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn; Rose Lavelle, Julie Ertz, Samantha Mewis; Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe.
Spain substitutes: Celia Jimenez, Mariasun Quinones, Andrea Falcon, Silvia Meseguer, Marta Torrejon, Mariona, Andrea Pereira, Ivana, Lola Gallardo, Aitana Bonmati, Nahikari Garcia, Amanda Sampedro.
Spain (4-3-3): Sandra Panos; Marta Corredera, Irene Paredes, Mapi Leon, Leila; Vicky Losada, Virginia Torrecilla, Patri Guijarro; Alexia Putellas, Jenni Hermoso, Lucia Garcia.
Now, let’s take a look at the team news!
This is Spain’s first appearance in the knockout stages and, while this is a feat to be applauded, it is also slightly ominous as seven of the previous eight teams to advance past the group stage for the first time lost the following match.
The United States definitely come into this match as favourites considering they have just broken the record for most goals in any World Cup group stage ever (18) while also conceding in just one of their last nine matches in this competition.
These two sides have never faced each other at the Women’s World Cup, but the United States did defeat Spain 1-0 in a friendly in January.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE match commentary of the Women's World Cup last-16 match between Spain and United States.
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