The United States Women’s National Team needed two penalties to advance from the World Cup Round of 16, beating Spain 2–1 in a hard-fought but unconvincing victory that won’t have built any confidence in the U.S. camp. Two Megan Rapinoe strikes from the spot were just enough to set up a giant quarterfinal match-up against host nation France on Friday in Paris at the Parc des Princes at 3 p.m. ET.
In the second-ever meeting between the USWNT and Spain, after having played out a 1–0 U.S. win back in January, Jill Ellis made one change from the 2–0 group stage victory over Sweden, with Julie Ertz returning in midfield at the expense of Lindsey Horan.