Women’s World Cup: Megan Rapinoe ready for ‘huge task’ against England
By Ayebare Mariam
Megan Rapinoe said they face a “huge task” after setting up a Women’s World Cup semi-final against England on Tuesday.
Rapinoe scored twice as the defending champions beat hosts France 2-1 in Paris on Friday to reach the last four.
England had beaten Norway 3-0 in Le Havre 24 hours earlier.
“We face a very good English side, who have some good players. They’re one of the big girls of the game,” said Seattle Reign winger Rapinoe.
“They strolled through their quarter-final and had an extra day, so have got some rest in their legs. We’ll enjoy this tonight. All eyes towards England tomorrow.”
Rapinoe is now the joint top scorer in the tournament with five goals – alongside team-mate Alex Morgan, England’s Ellen White and Australia’s Sam Kerr.
The 33-year-old is the first player ever to score twice in consecutive Women’s World Cup knockout games, having also scored both in the 2-1 win over Spain.
England, who have never won a major women’s tournament, are in their third consecutive semi-final, having lost in the last four in 2015 and at Euro 2017.
In their way will be the world’s number one-ranked USA team, who have won a record three World Cups, including four years ago. They have reached at least the semi-final in all eight World Cups.
Managed by Portsmouth-born Jill Ellis, they have won their last 10 games in World Cups, a joint record, They have only lost once in 43 matches, a friendly defeat against France in January.
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