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However, the knockout stage was a bit tougher for the USWNT. On July 1, they won 3–2 over Germany in the quarterfinals in Landover, Maryland The match started out rough for the United States as American defender Brandi Chastain scored an own-goal five minutes in to give Germany a 1–0 lead. That kind of mistake has cost teams the win many times. However, America’s Tiffeny Milbrett tied it up in the sixteenth minute to make things more interesting. The score remained tied until Germany took a 2–1 lead just before halftime on a goal from Bettina Wiegmann. Chastain redeemed herself with a goal just four minutes into the second half to tie

it up, while Joy Fawcett scored the eventual match winner in the sixty-sixth minute. The semifinal match was much less tense as America celebrated a 2–0 blanking of Brazil that set up the final against China at the Rose Bowl. This match took place in temperatures of more than 100ºF (37.8ºC) and was an exhilarating match that saw full time end with a 0–0 draw. After two extra-time halves without a score, the U.S. won 5–4 on penalty kicks. The big break in the shoot- out undoubtedly came when Briana Scurry, the United States goalkeeper, stopped Liu Ying’s

Brandi Chastain’s World Cup winning celebration is one of the greatest moments in USWNT history and in all of women’s sports.

third round attempt. This save set up a 4–4 score, with Brandi Chastain taking the final kick. Her shot went past the outstretched hands of Gao Hong to bring America its second World Cup victory and its first on American soil.

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