U.S. to face Japan in women's World Cup final
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany (Reuters) - The United States struck twice late in the second half to beat France 3-1 on Wednesday and will face Japan in the women's World Cup final.
The Japanese, playing in their first semi-final, beat Sweden by the same score with a double from Nahomi Kawasumi, including a spectacular 35-meter lob, to book a spot in Sunday's final.
France leveled after the break with a Sonia Bompastor cross that bounced past U.S. keeper Hope Solo but two goals in three minutes from Abby Wambach (79th) and Alex Morgan (82nd) secured a third World Cup final appearance for the Americans.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"This is our journey, this is our dream," a beaming Wambach said. "France are a great team. There were moments they were outplaying us but I am so proud of this team."
In Frankfurt, captain Homare Sawa turned from villain to hero by putting Japan 2-1 up on the hour after her defensive error had given Sweden a 10th minute lead.
Josefine Oqvist pounced on Sawa's disastrous back pass, cut into the box and fired home from a tight angle but Japan recovered quickly as Kawasumi equalized nine minutes later after scrambling the ball over the line.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FRENCH DOMINANCE
In Moenchengladbach, the Americans, who were under pressure from the start, scored against the run of play through Cheney but immediately dropped deep and some sloppy passing allowed France to come forward repeatedly.
"We lost our legs a bit but we picked up the fight," said U.S. coach Pia Sundhage, whose team needed a penalty shootout to overcome Brazil in the last eight. "I think it was obvious we had heavy legs so we had to adjust."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}With Sundhage sensing danger and bellowing from her coaching area, the French dominance almost paid off on the half hour when Gaetane Thiney tested Solo with a close-range effort.
Bompastor then rattled the bar with a fierce drive seconds later as France took complete control.
The French got their just reward after 55 minutes when Bompastor leveled after whipping in a cross from the left that deceived Solo.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A smooth chip over keeper Berangere Sapowicz from Morgan three minutes later put the game beyond the French.
"We had our chances and we had a lot," Bini said. "We were as good as we could have been. But they have a lot of experience."
(Writing by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Ken Ferris)