USA and Chile kicked off their Group F Match with zeal and honour as the former came after a thumping but disputed 13-0 win over Thailand while Chile lost its previous match 0-2 to Sweden.
The amount of confidence USA has and should have is immense! It could be seen from the formation as at least 3 of USA’s players maintained their positions in Chile’s half, despite the ball being in the Reds’ feet! Also, stars Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe started on the bench!
Aaaand the first goal came as early as the 11th minute as Guerrero tried to head away the ball from Chile’s box, but 2015 hero Carli Lloyd caught it and VOLLEYED IT INTO THE RIGHT CORNER! The goalie could only watch it fly!
After this goal, USA’s hold on the ball strengthened and lengthened! 13th minute saw a Christian Press corner, Lloyd tried to head it but missed, Chile failed to clear it as Brian took it- quite a rumble in the box till Brian was fouled! USA are so professional! Such lofty passes, headers, crosses- they make it seem so easy!
Then came a weird moment as Chile won a free kick, ball reached inside the Americans’ box, Guerrero reached it but missed it, USA goalie Naeher reached it but missed it, the ball moved in and REACHED the net- Chile almost had their first goal of the tournament but the referee raised the flag and Guerrero was ruled OFFSIDE! So close!!!
Horan was handed the first Yellow card of the game in the 23rd minute.
26th minute saw Ertz make it 2-0 for the Americans as she shot in such a powerful header that Chile Goalie Endler had it in her gloves but the ball deflected and found the right of the net! That POWER !!!
Horan heads it past Endler as the ball deflects from her gloves
USA threatened, and threatened and threatened! Captain Carli Lloyd found the met yet again in the 35th minute as she headed in a corner-ball right past Cristiane Endler to make it 3-0 for the Americans!!!
USA are monsters when it comes to set pieces! They don’t let any chance slip away from their feet! Two of their 3 goals were already from set pieces in the first half. That was the last time USA found the net in the entire match, THANKS TO MAMMOTH EFFORTS BY THE REDS AND WHALE_SIZED SAVES BY ENDLER!
42nd minute saw 20 year old Davidson take a free kick from the right side of the goalpost, the ball was cleared, caught on by Pugh who shot it high above the post!
2 minutes added to the first half, USA dominated possession just as well. USA just refused to fall back even at Chile’s threats! Even as the Women in Red advanced, the Americans held onto their posts as maintained pressure on their opponents.
Debutants Chile fought hard in the first half, but they just couldn’t keep up with the much seasoned rivals. After the first two goals early on, Chile became sluggish and nervous under the pressure.
The second half kicked off.
Chile looked revived and revamped. They were more organised, and even under attack- kept the ball on their feet instead of clearing it away unthinkingly. Their resurrected optimism could be seen from the 47th minute forceful shot by Christian Press metres away from the net but Endler punched it over the next with just as much force! Again in the 49th minute Chile’s defender narrowly deflected the ball to make it fly past hardly inches away from the left post!
USA shadowed Chilean players toe to toe, dispossessing them at every point possible!
Aaand Christiane Endler made a monster save around 54th minute as Christian Press made a rather open and unopposed run along the left flank from half line to inside the box, passed it to Horan who shot it grounded but Endler punched it away INCREDIBLY!
Chile were back! Another of Endler’s sky high quality save came in the 57th minute as she punched away another shot from Press!!! Endler fisted it away as the ball came close to the post!
And yet again, Endler denied Press by pinching away her shot aa USA colonized Chile’s box but The Reds were just tooooo good this time!Endler moved to her right and thumped away Press’s effort effortlessly! 😀
The second half saw Chile move step-to-step with USA, held onto their defense line and denied USA a lot many chances! USA still had most of The possession but Chile motored on and never backed down! And Endler, their wall, their Hero, guarded the goal like a true Warrior!
Carli Lloyd was denied a headed goal in the 71st minute by the crossbar as it remained loyal to its worthy master Endler! :’)
Endler, yes again(!), won the battle against Christian Press as deflected away her shot on goal amazingly! Endler sat on her knees, closed her legs and cleared Press’ shot from her boot! That would be 4 times Endler denied Press in the second half itself, within 30 minutes! Endler sure won this one-on-one battle against the American!
USA won another set piece free kick as Francesca Lara was handed a yellow card for challenge on Lloyd. Press took it, Chile cleared it but VAR came in to check for a Penalty- VAR might have as well stepped in to deny an illegal corner USA that led to their second goal.The referee checked it and awarded a Penalty- to USA, yellow card to Huento for a supposed challenge on Long, as the crowds booed on. And to Chile’s delight, Lloyd MISSED THE PENALTY!!! She shot it to her left and wide! Karma.
Endler was absolutely phenomenal in the second half! Another save came in the 85th minute as denied Lloyd. 97th minute saw Allie Long get booked for a challenge on Zamora.5 minutes were added to 90 minutes regulation time.1st minute of added time saw Chile win a free kick- a chance, but deliver it into Goalie’s gloves. Allie Long was warned again by the referee for another challenge on Zamora. USA was getting restless to get it over with ! 😉
The final whistle blows. USA wins predictably, but Chile did not make it easy! The way those Red Shirts rose and made a comeback in the second half despite being far from a good place was PHENOMENAL!
Chile did not give up, Chile did not back down, Chile DID NOT STOP FIGHTING, CHILE DARED TO SHINE!
USA might’ve won the match, but Chile won OUR HEARTS! Christiane Endler was a beast in the box as she saved USA’s shots one after the other, again and again and AGAIN! Endler was the strongest link! I have always loved USWNT, but God do I hope Chile qualifies through the 3rd place and I get see them in action again!
Purely BREATHTAKING!
All the views above are author’s own. They are not meant to offend anyone. This is not an official coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019. The author owns no rights in this tournament
Trailblazers! 
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