In a whirlwind of international play, five Thorns FC players suited up for four separate games in two tournaments on Sunday.
The day started early (3am PT) in the Netherlands as Nadia Nadim and the Danish National Team eliminated Germany from the 2017 UEFA Women’s EURO with a 2-1 victory. Nadim scored one of two goals for Denmark while playing a full 90 minutes in the win.
Germany got out in front 1-0 on an early goal by Isabel Kerschowski, and rode the one-goal lead into halftime. Four minutes into the second half, Nadim equalized.
A chip across the goal line caromed out to a leaping Nadim, who headed the ball just inside the near post.
Theresa Nelson went on to score for the Danes in the 83rd minute, again off a header, giving Denmark a 2-1 lead. The score stood when the final whistle blew, eliminating Germany from the UEFA Women’s EURO for the first time since 1993, and sending Denmark on to face Austria in the semis (1am PT, ESPN).
Later, Amandine Henry and France faced England, looking to secure their own spot in the semifinals. However, Les Bleus were defeated by England by a final of 1-0. Henry lead her team with 90 strong minutes in the loss.
The lone goal came in the 60th minute when former Thorn Jodie Taylor beat French keeper Sarah Bouhaddi. Bouhaddi got a hand on Taylor’s right-footed strike but it was not enough to redirect the ball, as it continued past her and into the far corner.
With the loss, Henry and Les Bleus have been eliminated from the EUROs and will head home.
In sunny Southern California, spirits were brighter for Hayley Raso and Australia, as the Matildas defeated Japan by a score of 4-2 in the Tournament of Nations. Raso got the start at right back, playing 74 minutes and recording an assist in the match.
Japan got out to an early 1-0 lead as Mina Tanaka deflected a header inside the six-yard box, past the outstretched gloves of Mackenzie Arnold. However, the Japanese lead was short-lived as the Matildas stormed back with three goals before the half.
Hayley Raso connected with Sam Kerr in the 11th minute, with a pass across the six-yard line. Kerr one-timed the ball and knotted the game.
Kerr went on to capitalize on Japan's defensive miscues, scoring in the 16th minute, before she completed a hat-trick within the first 45 minutes of play.
Emily Van Egmond pushed Australia’s lead to 4-1 on a free kick in the 62nd before Japan added a conciliatory goal to their totals in second-half stoppage time. With their second win of the tournament, the Matildas lead the bracket with 6 points, going into their final game with Brazil (Aug. 3, 4:15pm, ESPN3).
After going down by two goals late in Sunday’s game, The U.S. Women’s National Team rallied back with three unanswered goals in nine minutes to stun Brazil by a final of 4-3. Allie Long and Lindsey Horan were each available off the bench, with Long coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute. The crowd also included members of the Thorns FC Academy who were there to support the USWNT.
Brazil took an early lead as Andressinha scored in the 2nd minute off a fumbled save. The U.S. equalized in the 18th minute when Sam Lewis delivered from outside the box. Her shot ricocheted off a defender before sneaking past Brazil’s Bárbara knotting the game at 1.
The teams headed to the locker room at halftime tied 1-1, but Brazil took control in the second half. After goals by Brazil in the 63rd and 78th minutes, the United States seemed on track to net their second Tournament of Nations loss in as many games. However, with 10 minutes left in the game, the U.S. dramatically forged their way back.
Christen Press, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz each scored in the 80th, 85th, and 89th minutes, respectively, capping the implausible comeback and sending the Yanks on to their final game vs. Japan (Aug. 3, 7pm PT, ESPN2) with three points.
