France 2019:  USA set to deny England dream final World Cup ticket in Lyon 

Harry Awurumibe, Live in France 

All eyes are on the defending champions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, United States of America (USA) as the Americans take on another European giant, England in the first semi final tie at the impressive Lyon Olympic Stadium tomorrow

The match billed for the third biggest stadium in France with the capacity of 59,186 people will start by 8pm local time and both countries will wait for the end of 90 minutes or 120 minutes and perhaps a penalty shoot out to discover who will qualify for the final of the 8^th FIFA Women’s World Cup which will still hold in Lyon on July 7, 2019.

A close looks at Team USA performances so far against European teams in the global football fiesta in France showed that the Coach Jill Ellis-tutored side has upper hands in the games they have played with teams from Europe. They include the elimination of the host nation, France in the quarter final match in Paris last Friday.

Before beating France, Team USA had handed a 2-0 defeat to Sweden in their last Group F tie and later dismissed hard-fighting Spain in the Round of 16 at Stade  Auguste Delaune, Reims. USA ran away with 2-1 victory. With the above intimidating records over the European foes, Team USA will likely add England to the list of their victims.

But the Three Lions handled by England football legend, Phil Neville will not want to be the next victims of the rampaging American Yankees tomorrow and with their present energy which has helped them to navigate their ways to this stage, Team USA should better watch it.

England has an experienced team that can stand toe to toe with the Americans they now know at close quarters having played out a 2-2 draw early this year in USA in SheBelieves Cup. Also, England and USA have met only once in the Women’s World Cup with USA winning 3-0 in the quarter final stage in the 2007 edition.

The English ladies are in the semi-final of the competition for the second successive edition (2015 and 2019). The Lionesses lost 2-1 to Japan in Canada in 2015 through a Laura Bassett own goal and will not like to fall by the wayside this time around at the same level.  Ellen White, England leading goalscorer is expected to provide the goals England needs to survive in this match.

For this reason, the USA and England encounter will live up to the expectations of fans and followers of women’s football in France, USA and England as well as across the world.

No doubt the much anticipated clash of both giants in women’s football will see the two Head Coaches – Ellis and Neville draw up a winning mix with both teams parading matured and young players in their folds as USA superstar- Megan Rapinoe who got a brace in the last match against France will lead the line again tomorrow. She will be supported by Alex Morgan, Sam Mewis and Carli Lloyd to win the tie.