Women's World Cup Semifinals 2015: Bracket Dates, Teams, TV Schedule and More
The FIFA Women's World Cup is down to four teams, and if quarterfinal play was any indication, the semifinals should be chocked full of epic drama.
After the United States took down China 1-0 and Germany advanced past France 5-4 on penalty kicks Friday, the semifinals were rounded out by a pair of stellar matches Saturday evening.
Japan defeated Australia 1-0 before England made history by advancing to its first semifinal after sweating out a 2-1 win over Canada.
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So as the host nation exits the proceedings stage left, both emerging and established powers are set to square off for the right to compete for a world championship.
| USA vs. Germany | Tuesday, June 30 | 7 p.m. ET | FOX | Montreal |
| Japan vs. England | Wednesday, July 1 | 7 p.m. ET | Fox Sports 1 | Edmonton |
USA vs. Germany
While the United States and Germany will have plenty to live up to after the Germans emerged victorious in the tournament's best game to date, the Group B and D winners possess the tactical fortitude necessary to crank things up a notch.
And once again, all eyes will be on Jill Ellis' management of the United States' lineup.
"Given how much France troubled Germany with its speed and movement, it’s certainly possible that [Abby] Wambach would not start against the Germans either," Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl wrote. "[Megan] Rapinoe seems a lock to return to the starting lineup, and you’d think [Lauren] Holiday would be too, but [Morgan] Brian was very good against China (an admittedly easier foe)."
The United States' impeccable defense will need to remain just that in order to down the world's top-ranked team. The Americans haven't allowed a goal since their first group-stage showing against Australia, and the club's shutout streak has reached 423 minutes. According to ESPN.com, it's the third-longest shutout streak in tournament history.
However, the Germans pack a considerable amount of scoring punch, evident by their tournament-best 20 goals, three of which have been scored via set pieces. Germany has also been the best attacking team thus far, generating 134 shot attempts—64 more than the red, white and blue.
That's a perfect example of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. But in this case, something's got to give.
"We're going back to the drawing board, because for every stage as this tournament goes on, it's a new tournament," Wambach said, according to the Associated Press' Anne M. Peterson (via Yahoo Sports). "In order to get to the final, we're going to have to play impeccable soccer."
Japan vs. England
Talk about a narrative clash.
While Japan is gearing up to defend its 2011 World Cup crown, England is entering semifinal play for the first time in team history.
However, Japan hardly coasted to the final four. It took a heroic 87th-minute goal from Mana Iwabuchi in order for the Japanese to sneak past Australia in the quarters, whereas England imposed its will against Canada by netting two goals before the 15th minute rolled around.
That said, ESPN Stats & Info indicates Japan remains a fairly heavy favorite entering Wednesday's clash:
Among the four teams competing for a spot in the World Cup final, England is the only side that didn't win its group—finishing second in Group F behind France.
It's been an improbable run to this point for the Three Lionesses, but with a chance to make more history, it would be unwise to count England out just yet.
