Women’s World Cup: United States expect a ‘crazy’ clash against France in Paris

Fifa Women’s World Cup last 16 Spain 1 United States 2

Defending champions United States have set up a quarter-final tie with host nation France after beating Spain 2-1 in the last 16 on Monday.

Midfielder Megan Rapinoe scored two penalties to secure the US a last-eight berth and the captain is now expecting a huge clash in the French capital city on Friday.

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Rapinoe said: “This is the game everyone had circled. This is incredible for the women’s game. You have two heavy-hitters meeting.

“I hope it’s wild and crazy. I hope the fans are crazy, there is tons of media around it and it is just a big spectacle.”

US head coach Jill Ellis agreed that the last-eight encounter against France at the Parc des Princes will be a massive occasion.

She said: “It’s going to be an amazing game. I’m sure a lot of people would want it later in the tournament.

“It’s probably going to be crazy with a lot of intensity, but that’s as it should be because I truly think this is the world game for women, so what a showcase piece.”

The France vs. US quarter-final kicks off at 8pm (BST) on Friday.

Sweden 1 Canada 0

Sweden are also through to the World Cup quarter-finals after Stina Blackstenius scored the winning goal against Canada.

Head coach Peter Gerhardsson was proud of his team’s performance. He said: “There were a lot of heroes towards the end of the match.”

The Swedes will now face Germany in the last eight in Rennes on Saturday (5.30pm).

Tuesday’s last-16 fixtures

The remaining round of 16 ties on Tuesday see Italy face China in Montpellier (5pm) and the Netherlands take on Japan in Rennes (8pm).

The winners of the final two last-16 matches will face each in the quarter-final on Saturday in Valenciennes (2pm).

Fifa Women’s World Cup fixtures

Round of 16 fixtures and TV guide

BBC Sport will show live coverage of the World Cup. All times are BST.

Tuesday 25 June

• Italy vs. China (5pm; Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier; live on BBC Two, iPlayer, red button, website and app)
• Netherlands vs. Japan (8pm; Roazhon Park, Rennes; BBC Four, iPlayer, red button, website and app)

Women’s World Cup quarter-finals

• Thursday 27 June: Norway vs. England (8pm; Stade Océane, Le Havre; BBC One, red button, website and app)
• Friday 28 June: France vs. USA (8pm; Parc des Princes, Paris; BBC Four, website and app)
• Saturday 29 June: Italy/China vs. Netherlands/Japan (2pm; Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes; BBC Sport website and app)
• Saturday 29 June: Germany vs. Sweden (5.30pm; Roazhon Park, Rennes; BBC Sport website and app)

Women’s World Cup semi-finals

• Tuesday 2 July: Norway/England vs. France/USA (8pm; Stade de Lyon, Lyon)
• Wednesday 3 July: Italy/China/Netherlands/Japan vs. Germany/Sweden (8pm; Stade de Lyon, Lyon)

When is the Women’s World Cup final?

The 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup final will be played at the Stade de Lyon on Sunday 7 July (4pm BST, live on BBC One).