This stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 leaves us with the crème de la crème of women’s football. The final eight teams have been decided and we now enter the more exciting match-ups of the entire tournament. The next of the quarter-finals is a gigantic game between two powerhouses in the United States and France. Both teams came into the summer tournament as favourites to take the crown but now face each other in a battle for supremacy and a place in the semi-finals.
Both France and the United States have looked out of sorts lately with both teams scraping through their tough round of 16 ties against Brazil and Spain. France needed an extra winner from captain Amandine Henry whilst the United States were fortunate with their penalty to win by two goals to one. However, both teams will look to put their bad run of form behind them by putting in a fearsome performance for their semi-final opponents. The winner of this tie will have wiped out a major threat from their path to the title.
This tactical preview analysis will look at how both sides will look to impose their strengths and limit their opponents from dominating proceedings.
Squad & Line-ups
United States
Under Jill Ellis, the United States have employed a 4–3–3 formation that has been a pillar to their success this tournament. Alyssa Naeher looks set to start in goal with Abby Dahlkemper and Julie Ertz as the centre-back pairing. Full-backs Kelley O’Hara and Crystal Dunn will likely start alongside them. Ellis’ only real selection headache has come when choosing between the two defensive midfielders. Ertz and Lindsey Horan have both played well, however, there might be the possibility of Ertz slotting into a central defensive position giving Horan a start. The attack should continue with the trio of Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapinoe who have looked excellent so far.
France
Corinne Diacre will be expected to continue her tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation that has been a success throughout the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The main focus will on the wide areas with Amel Majri, Eugénie Le Sommer, Marion Torrent and Diani providing the attacking impetus. With the United States’ favouring their attacks through Heath and Rapinoe, the two full-backs will need to be slightly more disciplined in their defensive duties. Amandine Henry and Élise Bussaglia will stabilise the central areas and assist the two wide defenders for any potential overloads.
American forward press
The front three for the United States have been critical to their success throughout the tournament. Rapinoe, Morgan, and Heath have terrorised defences using their speed, vision and intelligent movement to outfox defenders. Ellis’ side were the highest scorers in the group stages scoring 17 goals conceding none, however, their first real test came against Spain the round of 16 where they were tested against a spirited Spanish side.
