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World Cup semi-finals preview: England vs USWNT a must-watch

By Kristofer McCormack

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Megan Rapinoe of the USA celebrates her after scoring her sides first goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Megan Rapinoe of the USA celebrates her after scoring her sides first goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /
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The Women’s World Cup is nearing its conclusion. In anticipation of the semi-finals, here’s all you need to know about this week matches.

Here we are, just four teams remaining to fight it out for a place at the World Cup final on Sunday. The tournament has thrown up a few surprises already and promises to continue doing so as the teams enter the business end of the competition. Here’s what you need to know about semi-finals;

England v United States, July 2nd, 3:00 pm ET

The first blockbuster semi-final of the World Cup sees the United States face England tonight. Both sides are unbeaten so far, having won all of their games so far. The holders have broken numerous records in the group stages including a record win over Thailand before overseeing the challenge of Spain and hosts France in the knockout stages.

England, in contrast, opponents haven’t matched up as well on the pitch as they did on paper. They topped the “group of death” quite easily and got an easy draw in the first knockout rounds. Their win over Norway in the quarter finals in their most impressive win to date.

The United States are tournament top goalscorers with 22 goals so far while England have kept an impressive four clean sheets. However, this tie is unlikely to be attack against defence, a point demonstrated in England’s Ellen White who currently tied with Megan Rapinoe for the golden boot.

Nothing separated the two last time they faced at the SheBelieves Cup in March while their last World Cup was 12 years ago, finishing 3-0 in the United States favour. “ I have got to say, for the last three months, I’ve wanted to forward-wind my life to this point,” said England manager, Phil Neville, earlier this week. It’s a feeling many fans can sympathise with when the pre-tournament permutations came in and just like as it was hard to pick a winner before the World Cup kicked off, it’s even harder now, making this match the pick of the two and a can’t miss.

Sweden v The Netherlands, July 3rd, 3:00 pm ET

Sweden are seeking their first World Cup since 2003 when they face The Netherlands on Wednesday. The Swedes last reached the show-piece 16 years ago, losing to Germany.  This is the closest Balgult have come to reaching the final again with their highest finish since being third in the 2011 World Cup.

It hasn’t been easy getting here,  after group stage defeat to the United States, Sweden had to oversee Canada in their first knockout round before beating Germany at a major competition for the first time in 24 years to reach the semi-finals. The Netherlands have also had a difficult path to the final, overseeing 2011 champions Japan and the inform dark horses, Italy.

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Its the Dutch first ever Women’s World Cup semi-final and the European champions have already demonstrated the quality and winning pedigree needed to go all the way in France. They  are currently riding the wave of an eight game unbeaten streak in which they have scored 22 goals and conceded just three times.

Sweden can boast the better head to head between these two, however, the last time these two sides met at a major competition was the 2017 European Championships quarter final which The Netherlands won 2-0.  One can only hope that Wednesday afternoon’s game is as entertaining as that tie two years ago was.