Wambach heads U.S. to Women’s World Cup final

MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany -- Abby Wambach sure knows how to deliver.

A goal, a promise and soon, she hopes, a Women's World Cup title.

The U.S. women had fans on edge again until Wambach broke a tense tie with her header off a corner kick in the 79th minute Wednesday. Alex Morgan scored three minutes later to seal a 3-1 semifinal victory over France, and the Americans let loose with a party that carried across the Atlantic Ocean.

Next up, a trip to the World Cup final Sunday in Frankfurt that will be the first for Americans since 1999, when they last won it all. They'll play Japan, which upset Sweden 3-1 to move one step away from realizing its dream.

"We've achieved part of our goal: We're in the final," Wambach said. "We want to complete it. We want to be world champs."

So do their fans, new and old.

The Americans captivated the crowd back home with their epic, come-from-behind win over Brazil on Sunday, and a little thing called a workday wasn't going to deter them. Some fans skipped work -- bars opened early for the 9 a.m. PDT kickoff -- while others sneaked peeks at the game in the office. At the Phoenix airport, dozens of fans crowded around TVs to watch the game.

When the final whistle blew, Hollywood celebrities, pro athletes and ordinary folks who didn't know a free kick from a corner kick a few days ago flooded Twitter with congratulations. "My heroes. Wambach. Boxx. Rapinoe. Solo. That TEAM! Our team!" actor Tom Hanks tweeted. Reigning Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers said, "Awesome job US Women, finish it off Sunday now."

Said Wambach: "We can't do it alone. We know a whole nation is cheering us on. We believe in ourselves, and we're in the final. I couldn't be happier."

A little relieved, too.

France was the surprise of the tournament, making the semifinals with a creativity and flair that was breathtaking to behold. And for much of the game, the U.S. couldn't contain Les Bleues.

"We didn't play well today," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "However, we find a way to win, and that's a credit to the players' hearts. That's what makes it so wonderful to be coach of this team."

With the U.S. struggling to create opportunities in the middle, Sundhage replaced Carli Lloyd with spark plug Megan Rapinoe early in the second half, moved Lauren Cheney inside and pulled Wambach back to the midfield.

The difference was noticeable immediately. The Americans pushed forward and began threatening French goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz.

Finally, in the 79th, the Americans won a corner kick.

"I told (Cheney) at halftime, 'Put the ball to the back post, and we're going to get a goal,' " Wambach said.

Cheney delivered the ball perfectly to the far post, and, just as Wambach had predicted, she soared over the scrum and pushed the ball past Sapowicz.

Wambach let out a scream and did a sliding sprint into the corner, where her teammates mobbed her. The goal was her third of the tournament and 12th of her career, tying fellow American Michelle Akers for third on the all-time World Cup scoring list.

Morgan then put the game out of reach, outracing four defenders and then stutter-stepping in front of the goal, throwing off Sapowicz and leaving the American with a wide-open shot.

"The priority is not to accept another goal," France coach Bruno Bini said through a translator. "When that happens, you've had it. We conceded another goal, and that was it for us."

Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy and Co. got the rock-star treatment during the 1999 World Cup, and every team since then has lived in their shadow. Part of the problem is no team has duplicated that group's success. But no one captivated the U.S. public like that golden group, either.

Until now.

Cheney's goal in the ninth minute staked the U.S. to a 1-0 lead. But with the silky smooth Louisa Necib calling the shots, France dominated for most of the game, finishing with a 25-11 advantage in shots. The French missed two great chances in the first half, with goalkeeper Hope Solo tipping a Gaetane Thiney shot away in the 30th minute and Sonia Bompastor rattling the crossbar two minutes later.

Finally, in the 55th, France got its equalizer. Bompastor floated in a cross from about 30 yards, and, with the dangerous Gaetane Thiney right in front of her, Solo had little opportunity to move. The ball flew right past her.

But the Americans got stronger as the game went on before Wambach came through.