Goals

It was a great day for Lieke Martens and the Netherlands. Faced with a difficult match against former World Cup winner Japan, the Dutch Lions needed a moment of inspiration to break down Japan’s normally resolute defending.

In the 17th minute, the Netherlands won a corner, and the delivery was met with a moment of magic. We've seen some great goals in this competition so far, and this goal is certainly up there.

WHAT. A. GOAL!

The USWNT overcame a spirited, physical and tactically disciplined Spain to advance to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup and setup an enthralling match with France, but the manner of the victory was hardly assuring. 

The U.S. required two penalties from captain Megan Rapinoe — one in the seventh minute and the next in the 76th — to overcome a defensive error that allowed Jennifer Hermoso to score the first goal against the USWNT of this tournament. 

France survived an almighty scare from Brazil to win 2-1 after extra time and advance to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup, where they’ll play the winner of tomorrow’s match between the USWNT and Spain. The goalscoring hero was Amandine Henry, who got on the end of a set piece in the 106th minute to send France through.

The opening goal from today’s Women’s World Cup Round of 16 match between England and Cameroon was an epic tale involving back passes, indirect free kicks and saliva. Yeah, that kind of goal. 

The story begins in the 12th minute, when Cameroon’s Augustine Ejangue cushioned a cross straight towards her own goalkeeper. Instead of clearing it, Annette Ngo Ndom picked it up, putting Cameroon in violation of the back-pass rule. 

It’s been a vengeful week for U.S. Soccer. Last night at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, the USMNT romped to a 6-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, exacting a small fraction of revenge for that frightful night in Couva. The win came only two days after the USWNT had vanquished its own personal demons by defeating Sweden at the Women’s World Cup.