MONTREAL — The twisted carnival ride of emotions began to churn for defender Julie Johnston in the 59th minute, when she was caught flat-footed in front of the United States goal and impulsively dragged down Alexandra Popp, the German player who had surged ahead with the ball.
The referee signaled for a penalty kick, and Johnston was mortified, trying to control her breathing, holding back tears, believing she had singlehandedly bungled the scoreless semifinal World Cup game.
Seconds later her emotions swerved again — to amazement and relief — as the German striker Celia Sasic shanked her shot wide of the post.