A dozen years to the day after Brandy Chastain booted in the winning penalty kick and stripped off her jersey in an iconic moment to celebrate the United States winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the US women’s national soccer team pulled off an improbable rally to keep the squad’s Cup hopes alive yesterday. Even without hair-pulling, it was a triumph some have compared to the USA ice hockey team’s Olympic miracle win in Lake Placid.

Needing a victory in the quarterfinal round to stay alive, the team representing the Red, White and Blue was faced with the daunting task of defeating the talented Brazilians led by international standout Marta.

The US gained an immediate 1-0 goal advantage and held it until early in the second half. A controversial red card against the North American squad led to a penalty kick and then an even more controversial second penalty kick blasted in by Marta to even the score. As the derogatory whistles reached a crescendo in the filled-to-the-brim stadium, though frustrated, the US women restrained themselves and refrained from attacking the officials. The red card also meant the US played nearly the entire second half and all of the overtime with a one-player disadvantage.

Regulation ended with a 1-1 deadlock. The Brazilians took the lead for the first time early in the first overtime period on another Marta goal. With just seconds to spare in the second overtime and with hope fading, the US got the equalizing goal on a header by veteran Abby Wambach. Wambach’s goal was the latest tally ever scored in the Women’s World Cup.

As seen above, US goalkeeper Hope Solo made the lone save during the game-deciding penalty kicks after overtime to set off another huge celebration. The Americans will play France in the semifinals on Wednesday. The French will also be recuperating from a long match as they needed overtime to end England’s Cup dreams on Sunday.

Congratulations to the US women on their goose-bump inducing victory and good luck on Wednesday.

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