After Germany's win against the Koreans, the second quarter final saw the USWNT face to the English ladies. US had won the group B while the English were second in group A behind the Germans (same points, better goal difference for Germany). Us were of course the favourite, but at half time the result was still 0-0.

A very bad first half, with a lot of mistakes by both teams, and just a chance at the end of the time for the US. A boring 45', consider that the total number of fouls was 5!

Everything changed at the very beginning of the second half. First of all, a corner kick and Abby Wambach scored a great goal with a powerful header, where the English keeper Rachel Brown could only touch the ball. After that, in 12 minutes the US hurricane knocked down the British.

First, a long distance kick from the defender Shannon Boxx, after
the English defense lost a bal, and it was the 2-0 goal. Then, Brown failed her intervention, lost the ball and Kirsten Lilly could score the US third goal. The 36 years old midfielder, with more than 300 caps, currently paying in Sweden for Orebro, had just to score one step from the goal line, after she beat Asante on the run.

3-0 on minu tes 60, after first half ended with a draw! England had a reaction, but Hope solo had just to make some easy saves and succeeded in keeping clean sheets until minute 92, when the English had their best chance to score. Fifteen minutes were enough to give the semifinal to the USA, and now the American ladies are waiting for the winners of the game between Brazil and Australia. Will there be a final between the Americans and the Germans? Let's wait and see.

Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium:

USA-ENGLAND 3-0 (0-0)

USA: Solo; Rampone, Whitehill, Boxx (82' Lloyd), O'Reilly; Osborne, Lilly, Lopez, Markgraf; Chalupny, Wambach (86' Kai). Coach: Greg Ryan.

ENGLAND: Brown; Scott, Steney, Chapman, White; Phillip (80' Sanderson), Carney, Aluko (46' Yankey), K. Smith; Asante, Scott. Coach: Hope Powell.

Goals: 48' Wamback, 57' Boxx, 60' Lilly.

Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (SWE)

Cards: none.

I'm sorry for my US friends and for all US Soccer fan, but as an Italian and an Inter fan, I have to root for Argentina in this Copa America 2007. Half players of the Albiceleste has Italian origins, and the other half plays for Inter! But I also would like to tell you that the USMNT were really ok for one hour: the problem is that it's the last 30 minutes that make the difference between a good team and a top team. And Argentina is full of stars...

Anyway, I was not surprised that theafter US scored first, with a penalty kick by Eddie Johnson of Kansas City, but Argentina was lucky to equalize immediately: Crespo scored with the open goal after a free kick, and after a shot saved by Keller. Good chances for Argentina at the end of first half (especially a great shot by Veron saved by Keller and the crossbar) but at half time the score was still 1-1.

Crespo, assisted by Messi, scored on 63 minutes the 2-1 goal reaching Maradona (present in Maracaibo) on the top of Albiceleste scorers, but most of all Argentina takes the lead. The Inter Milan player's diagonal shot is perfect, nothing to do for Keller. On minutes 77, after one minute of ball possession of the Argentinean, a cross from the left side by Heinze is converted by Aimar's header. Basile made a good choice, by replacing Cambiasso with him. There's time for Argentina to score the fourth goal, after a counter attack: Tevez, Messi's substitute, had no opposition and Keller was beaten once again.

As I said, good for the US team to play the first hour at the same level of the Argentina giants, but ehn Crespo scored his second goal, ther's been no reaction. Anyway, US keeps same percentage to get through they had before the game. On the contrary, though for Argentina it took 63 minutes to take the lead, bit after that things became easier and, good for me, Argentina is still favourite for this Copa America edition in Venezuela.

Here you have the highlights of the game: