Team USA Beats France 3-1, Progress to Women's World Cup Final

The United States has advanced to the final of the Women’s World Cup following a 3-1 victory over France, Wednesday.

Abby Wambach scored the crucial goal that shifted the momentum in Team USA’s favor during the semi-final game.

With the match tied at 1-1, a corner kick from forward Lauren Cheney delivered the ball to Wambach in the 79th minute. With the ball at the far post, Wambach was able to score past Berangere Sapowicz, the French goalkeeper.

Wambach is famous for previously scoring the winning goal that won the United States the 2004 Olympic gold medal. Wednesday’s goal was the forward’s third goal of the tournament.

The goal gave Team USA the edge going into the final nervous moments in a heated battle. Relief was quickly brought to the American camp when Alex Morgan scored the final goal in the 82nd minute, sealing the win for the U.S.

The final whistle brought frantic celebrations amid loud chants of “U-S-A!” from the 25,676 supporters in the stadium.

Pia Sundhage, coach of the U.S. team, expressed her pride for the star player: "Abby, she's just the best," Sundhage said. "I'm very happy to have her in our team. Great."

This win will give the United States the opportunity to appear in the finals for the first time since 1999. With the help of Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain, the team was able to win the World Cup 12 years ago.

If the team wins this year, they will be the first in the history of the tournament to bring home a Women’s World Cup title three times. Aside from the World Cup win in 1999, the team also won the tournament in 1991.

The team will play either Sweden or Japan in the final of the tournament on Sunday.