Great games in sports are exciting. They’re also inspiring, 카지노사이트 and that’s saying something. A great, close game, where the outcome is unpredictable, gives you chills. It’s a natural reaction to watching a great game, win or lose.
As the size of the battlefield increases, so do the emotions. The more you are mesmerised and immersed in the tense battle, the more you feel excited, moved, and even shaken. It’s no wonder that the most popular sport on the planet, football, and the FIFA World Cup, which pits the world’s best against the world’s best, is so inspiring. The common thread that binds these epic bouts is a strong sense of vitality that lives on in the hearts and minds of fans.
In this context, FIFA has selected six of the most emotional Women’s World Cup semi-final matches of all time (see table) to take a look back at those moments. Ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup Australia-New Zealand quarter-final (15-16 June), this is a fascinating article on the FIFA Nougat newsroom. It is an initiative by FIFA to draw attention to the semi-finals of the tournament by highlighting six of the most memorable matches from the last eight tournaments that have captured the attention of football fans around the world and touched their hearts.
[Photo]Choi Kyu-sup’s Cheong Chuk Tak Chuk
[Photo]FIFA website
1991 China: USA 5-2 Germany
In the Women’s World Cup, which began in 1991, the United States boasts the most wins (four). That pride was nourished by the original tournament in China. And the nourishment came in the quarter-final against Germany. Having won the UEFA Women’s European Championship just over four months earlier, the Germans were strong favourites, but they were the victims of the USA’s march to the top. Caryn Jennings was the hero of the USA’s unexpected victory. A hat-trick in a span of 23 minutes (10, 22, 33 in the first half) was the beginning and end of the victory.
“It was great to beat Germany, who were considered the number one team in the world. The fact that it was in front of my fiancé (Jim, now my husband), who never came to any of my other games, made it even more special.” (Jennings)
[Photo]FIFA website
1995 Sweden: Norway 1-0 USA
Four years earlier, Norway and the United States, the two favourites to win the inaugural tournament, met again, with a different result. Norway avenged their defeat (1-2) with a 1-0 victory. A goal by Ann Kristin Orrønes 10 minutes into the first half gave Norway a sweet victory. Buoyed by their momentum, Norway went on to defeat Germany (2-0) and retain the FIFA Cup.
“I remember they hit the crossbar three times in the last few minutes. I think we were lucky. Maybe, the Americans didn’t feel that we stole the gold medal from them.” (Orronez)
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (All rights reserved)
USA 2003: Germany 3-0 USA
Germany hadn’t forgotten the humiliation of 12 years earlier, and they got their revenge. The fact that it was on the home turf of the United States made it even sweeter. Kerstin Garefrekes’ header (15th minute) and a brilliant counter-attack in the second half of extra time (90+1, 90+3) sealed the victory (3-0), a victory that served as a stepping stone to their first title after defeating Sweden (2-1) with a golden goal in extra time in the final. It was also a stinging defeat for the Americans, who had inflated their pride as the world’s greatest by winning the 1999 tournament on home soil for a second time four years earlier.
“It was a game where we kicked our own arse for 90 minutes. Germany outplayed us and outplayed us. Honestly, they were better than us that year.” (US defender Kate Markgraph)
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (All rights reserved)
China 2007: Brazil 4-0 USA
It was the greatest display of individual talent in Women’s World Cup history. Brazil’s Marta was the star of the show. The 21-year-old scored two goals to hand the United States a crushing defeat (0-4). In the tournament, Marta was the epitome of a generation of goalscorers, winning the Golden Shoe (seven goals) and the Golden Ball. In the final, however, she was unable to find the back of the net and was forced to watch Germany lift their second FIFA Cup with the bitter taste of defeat (0-2).
“The game against the USA is my most memorable World Cup match. In that game, I scored what I consider to be the goal of my career. It’s a perfect memory that is etched in my heart.” (Marta)
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (All rights reserved)
Canada 2015: Japan 2-1 England
Japan’s dominance was short-lived. The goal that sealed the victory was a bizarre own goal. In the second half of extra time (90+2 minutes), England centre-back Laura Bassett’s ‘one goal’ made the difference between victory and defeat (2-1). Japan celebrated in victory. England, in the face of a divine mockery, were devastated. Japan, who had been crowned champions four years earlier (Germany 2011), had restored the pride of Asian football by reaching the final of two consecutive tournaments.
“After the game, I was heartbroken. I couldn’t control my emotions. I couldn’t breathe, my heart was pounding out of my chest, and I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole.” (Bassett)
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (All rights reserved)
France 2019: USA 2-1 England
Six Women’s World Cup classics The ‘regulars’ made another appearance. For the fifth time, the Americans played the starring role. England remained in the supporting cast as the USA shone. The USA scored two headers – Christine Press in the ninth minute and Alex Morgan in the 30th minute – to pull away from England (2-1). It was the moment that cleared the reef that had been lurking in their voyage to a fourth title. Morgan’s ‘tea-drinking’ goal celebration, which infuriated England, is still talked about today. In the second half, England were unlucky to see Steph Houghton’s penalty saved by US GK Alyssa Naher.
“It’s really fun to tease the Brits because they react instantly and they get angry. It was a pretty funny goal,” said USA’s Megan Rapinoe.
