Every so often a National team captures the imagination of a country to such an exciting, pleasurable degree that we crave more. Thanks to Team USA's 2-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday night in the FIFA Women's World Cup, we'll get just what we wanted, more.
Described as the game featuring the two best squads in the world, tough and rugged defense lived up to the hype. A total of only six shots on goal were registered during the entirety of play (five for USA, one for Germany), via ESPN.
Despite this suffocating brand of defense, Germany found itself with a golden opportunity to seize control.
During the 63rd minute, Germany striker Celia Sasic found herself with a penalty kick after USA defender Julie Johnston was forced to take down Alexandria Popp with a right arm:
Although Sasic did get goalkeeper Hope Solo to guess the wrong way on the ensuing penalty kick, her right-footed kick went wide-left, allowing the tearful Johnston to thank her lucky stars.
From this point it was all USA women.
Just six-minutes later, Carli Lloyd did was Sasic could not do. She buried a penalty kick to give USA the critical 1-0 lead:
Then the dagger came with just minutes remaining in the form of Kelley O'Hara, via Sports Illustrated:
This now marks the second-straight Wold Cup that the USA women have appeared in the Final. In 2011 they lost to Japan on penalty kicks.
Interestingly enough, the defending champs are still alive in this tournament. They'll square off against England in the other semi-final on Wednesday night to decide who'll take on the United States in Sunday's final.
The U.S. women are seeking their first World Cup championship since 1999 when they did it on their own turf.
Screenshot Courtesy of YouTube, Fox Soccer