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U.S. scores with seconds left, tops Brazil on PKs

Jul 10, 2011 - 8:49 PM Dresden, Germany (Sports Network) - Abby Wambach scored in the 122nd minute of extra time and the United States won a shootout, 5-3, to top Brazil after a 2-2 draw Sunday in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup.

Marta scored early in overtime for Brazil, but Wambach answered on essentially the final play of the second extra period, and the U.S. followed by converting all five penalties to return to the semifinals for the sixth time.

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo saved a penalty against Brazil's Daiane in the third round of the shootout and Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger converted the last two chances to seal the victory at Rudolf-Harbig Stadium.

"Even when we were a player down and a goal behind in extra time, you sensed that something was going to happen," Solo said. "The team kept fighting. You can't teach that. It's a feeling - and we play with that feeling."

The United States, which got an own goal less than two minutes into the match, will play France in the semifinals on Wednesday. Brazil was eliminated.

"I still think we've had a good World Cup," Brazil manager Kleiton Lima said, "even if ultimately we didn't achieve our goal."

Marta also scored Brazil's other goal, as she tied Germany's Birgit Prinz with 14 goals all-time in World Cup play. Marta's penalty kick in the 68th followed a controversial foul, and came after Brazil's initial penalty attempt saved.

Cristiane took the initial penalty for Brazil, but after Solo saved the spot kick, a second attempt was awarded. Either Solo moved off her line early, or a player entered the box early, but no exact reason was known.

Marta buried the second attempt to tie the game, canceling a second-minute own goal from Daiane that gave the U.S. the early lead. With Rachel Buehler sent off for the foul that led to the penalty, Marta added her second in overtime.

But after Wambach turned a cross from Rapinoe inside the right post with just a few seconds left in added time of the second extra period, the U.S. got some redemption from the earlier controversial penalty by Brazil.

Shannon Boxx had the first attempt for the U.S. saved but Brazilian goalkeeper Andreia had come well off her line and Boxx sent the second chance into the top right.

Carli Lloyd and Wambach followed with penalties, but after Cristiane and Marta converted Brazil's first two chances, Daiane was denied and the U.S. converted its final two chances.

Brazil handed the U.S. the lead inside two minutes after Boxx chased down a ball near the left end line and drove a cross into the middle that was turned into the goal Daiane.

The U.S. had a chance to build on the own goal 10 minutes later, but a header from Wambach was deflected by Andreia.

Brazil answered with chances from Aline, who headed into the side netting, and Marta, who finished a long run with a shot off target under pressure from U.S. defender Christie Rampone, before the midway point of the half.

The Brazilians had the lone chance over the remainder of the half as a mistake in the back gave Fabiana possession on the right side, and she lobbed the ball just over Solo and off the face of the crossbar in the 38th.

Both countries got lucky early in the second half to avoid having players sent off as Lloyd, already on a yellow card, handled the ball and Aline played the ball in the area but also avoided a card.

Solo almost spilled a shot from Cristiane in the 60th but she scrambled to get to the loose ball and covered up. The U.S. followed with its first good chance of the match, but Lloyd's header found the crossbar in the 63rd.

Just a couple minutes later, controversy entered the picture as the Brazilians were awarded a questionable penalty kick, then awarded a second try after Solo stopped the first attempt on an even more controversial call.

Marta earned the initial penalty after she chipped the ball over Buehler and Rampone from the edge of the area toward the middle, and then Marta lunged to try and reach the ball and a penalty was given and Buehler sent off.

Cristiane lined up to take the penalty, but her shot toward the right post was pushed wide by Solo, who then celebrated with her teammates only to learn that Brazil was awarded a second chance to take the penalty.

Apparently, Solo came off her line too early - although replays clearly showed she remained on the line until the kick was taken. Marta, who missed a penalty in the 2007 final against Germany, made no mistake on the second try.

Solo committed to the left post, and Marta drove the penalty back to the right for her third goal of the tournament and 13th all-time the World Cup.

The U.S. settled in well with just 10 players, but after the match reached the end of regulation level at 1-1, Brazil scored another goal early in the first overtime.

Maurine, who appeared to be offside when she received the ball, sent a pass in from the left corner, and Marta turned the ball on goal form the near side of the area and it bounced off the right post and in to put Brazil in front.

The U.S. nearly responded before the 100-minute mark, as Wambach found a small amount of space on the right side of the area and drove a left-footed shot to the bottom left that Andreia pushed away from the corner.

Lloyd fired high from 19 yards in the 121st minute, as the U.S. looked to have missed its final opportunity. But one last-gasp attack resulted in the tying goal from Wambach to set up the penalty shootout.

"It's hard to put all the feelings that are going through my head right now into words," Sundhage said.