Women's World Cup Semi-Finals 2015: Bracket Predictions, Fixtures Info and Times
The four teams that will contest the semi-finals of the 2015 Women's World Cup have now been decided, and there is plenty more drama left in store in Canada.
Germany will take on the United States in the first semi-final. The Germans beat France in a thrilling penalty shootout, and the U.S. enjoyed a narrow but comfortable win over China.
Japan and England will contest the second semi-final. Japan overcame Australia 1-0 on Saturday, while the Three Lionesses continued to make history at the tournament as they progressed past the tournament hosts thanks to goals from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze.
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Here is all the information you need on the two matches and a closer look at how they might play out.
| Tuesday, June 30 | 7 p.m./12 a.m. | USA vs. Germany | FOX, BBC Two |
| Wednesday, July 1 | 7 p.m./12 a.m. | Japan vs. England | FOX Sports 1, BBC One |
All matches can be streamed live at BBC iPlayer, Fox Soccer 2Go and Fox Sports GO.
USA vs. Germany
The first semi-final will see the two top-ranked teams in the world face off for a place in the final.
Both teams have excellent pedigree in the World Cup, having lifted the trophy on two occasions apiece.
Carli Lloyd's header was enough to separate the USWNT from China in the last round:
The U.S. will welcome Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe back into their midfield, who both sat out the quarter-final through suspension.
Andrew Keh of the New York Times notes the impact the pair have had at the tournament so far. Holiday and Rapinoe are among the key playmakers in Jill Ellis' team, illustrated by their total touches and creation of 18 chances between them—one short of the team's total prior to the quarter-final.
Rapinoe has also netted twice at the tournament. Lloyd's winner against China was her second.
Germany boast a number of attacking threats of their own, however, and they are enjoying some excellent form themselves.
ESPN Stats & Info notes Celia Sasic's goalscoring exploits at this World Cup, while Anja Mittag has managed just one goal fewer than her team-mate.
Nevertheless Germany struggled to threaten France, particularly in the first half, per Chris McLaughlin of BBC Sport:
The U.S. will need to cut off the supply line to Sasic and Mittag. If they can do that, they have an excellent chance of winning.
The Yanks have not conceded since their opening game, and their resolute defending and ability to grind out wins could give them the decisive edge against a Germany side whose players who exerted themselves considerably in the 120 minutes the team needed to beat Les Bleues.
Prediction: U.S. 1-0 Germany
Japan vs. England
Despite ranking sixth in the world, England have beaten the odds to reach the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup.
Mark Sampson's side had never won a knockout game at the World Cup prior to their round-of-16 win over Norway, and the quarter-final win over Canada has added to their incredible achievement.
Taylor's goal opened the scoring for England:
Bronze added her second goal in two games to put the Three Lionesses 2-0 up against the host nation, and despite Christine Sinclair pulling one back, England held on for a memorable victory.
Sampson's first World Cup as England manager has brought the team unheralded success, and the 32-year-old heaped praise onto his side. Per BBC Sport, he said:
"They are history-makers again, the third ever England team to get to a semi-final. We now join the 1966 and the 1990 club, and I'm very proud of the whole group.
...
We got ourselves through and I could not be prouder. Every player ran through brick walls for this team. I don't know where this team found their energy. It was a do-or-die game. Canada gave everything, England gave everything and we came out on top.
"
England may be without goalkeeper Karen Bardsley for the clash with Japan, as she was forced off with an eye injury. Fox Sports' Julie Stewart-Binks noted the injury appeared somewhat serious:
However, Bardsley has been at fault for two goals at the World Cup, including Sinclair's, so her absence may not be a huge blow.
Regardless, Japan will be favourites for the showdown.
The reigning world champions have looked solid throughout, conceding just twice and winning every game.
As ESPN's Paul Carr notes, they have won each game by narrow margins:
While they have not blown any team away in the manner Germany have, Japan have defended well and remained clinical up front.
England have conceded in each game of the tournament, so the Japanese are sure to have opportunities to score. With their ruthless finishing, they'll most likely put those chances away.
The Three Lionesses won't bow out without a fight, and their confidence will be sky-high after beating Canada in front of a home crowd of over 54,000, but Japan's experience and superior finishing will punish England's defensive frailties.
Prediction: Japan 2-1 England
