USA Women vs England Women. SheBelieves Cup.
LP Field.
Sunday 3 March 2019 13:52, UK
England Women held world champions USA in a thrilling 2-2 draw in the SheBelieves Cup in Nashville on Saturday, keeping their hopes of winning the tournament alive.
Megan Rapinoe's stunning strike in the 33rd minute gave USA, who drew their first SheBelieves Cup match with Japan, the lead in the 33rd minute, but Steph Houghton's equally impressive free-kick got England level three minutes later.
After the break, England turned the match on its head with a brilliantly-worked goal finished off by Nikita Parris giving them a 52nd-minute lead, before Tobin Heath stabbed home the equaliser for the hosts in the 67th minute.
England held on for a impressive point against the No 1 ranked team in the world, meaning they sit second in the SheBelieves table on goal difference ahead of their winner-takes-all final clash with leaders Japan on Tuesday, where a victory will see them pick up the SheBelieves trophy.
The USA started very much on the front foot, and almost went ahead early on directly from a corner, by Abby McManus did really well to get back on the line to clear.
The hosts did get in front in spectacular style, with Rapinoe thundering a strike into the net after Rachel Daly had only half cleared a long ball into the box. Take nothing away from the finish, though.
That lead lasted just three minutes, though, as Houghton, having had the ball laid off to her from Toni Duggan, curled a super strike into the bottom corner to level things up.
There was jubilation in the England camp just seven minutes after the break as Fran Kirkby curled a lovely ball over the top for Parris, who took a perfect first touch before rifling her effort into the bottom corner.
England looked comfortable in the lead, with Alex Morgan shooting over from a good position, but set pieces continued to cause England problems, with Heath stabbing home the equaliser after England failed to clear another corner.
Both sides went in search of a winner, but neither could create that final killer chance as England march on to put themselves on the verge of the trophy.
Down the other end of the pitch, Houghton stepped up to score a leveller at a crucial time, and a mighty fine one too, but it was her defensive display against some of the best female footballers in the world that earns her the award. Some of her headers ahead of Alex Morgan were timely indeed.
England take on Japan on Tuesday, knowing victory and the SheBelieves Cup is there. The USA face Brazil in a dead rubber on Wednesday.
