US Women to Face Japan in World Cup Final

(NewsCore) - The United States advanced to the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup Wednesday with a 3-1 semi-final win over France.

The US will take on Japan in the final Sunday after the Japanese women earned their first final berth in six World Cup appearances with a 3-1 victory over Sweden.

Bidding for a hat-trick of World Cup titles following victories in 1991 and 1999, the US team went into Wednesday's clash on the back of draining quarter-final victory over Brazil on penalties.

But the team had enough in the tank to see off Les Bleus, sealing victory with two goals in the final 11 minutes in Moenchengladbach, Germany.

The Americans got off to the perfect start, going ahead inside of 10 minutes courtesy of a close range shot by Lauren Cheney. Heather O'Reilly charged up the left wing and provided a well-placed low cross, which Cheney promptly redirected past the French goalkeeper.

But France did not bow to the early goal, showing determination and challenging the US defense throughout the first half and appearing to have the momentum despite being down 1-0 at the break.

The French women were awarded for their efforts early in the second half when Sonia Bompastor leveled the score with a left-footed shot from long range on 55 minutes.

The issue remained in doubt late into the match until US veteran Abby Wambach, as she has done countless times before, lifted her teammates with a close range header off a corner kick from Cheney to give the US a 2-1 lead on 79 minutes.

Alex Morgan sealed victory for Team USA three minutes later with a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.

"France is great team. There were moments they outplayed us," Wambach said following the match. "But I know that we're going to pull through. Everyone believes it. Everyone is working for each other.

"In the end we're in the final and that's all that matters."

Team USA squares off against Japan in Frankfurt at 2:45pm ET to determine who will bring home the Cup.