The stakes for France vs. USA go far beyond football (1:43)
Italy beat China to continue stellar WWC run
Italy beat China 2-0 to qualify for the quarterfinals of the women's World Cup in convincing fashion on Tuesday.
Morgan pumped for 'epic' quarterfinal vs. France (1:11)
Men need to ref at Women's World Cup - White
Former England international Faye White has said there should be more male referees officiating at this summer's Women's World Cup.
Trump: Rapinoe shouldn't protest during anthem
President Donald Trump says he does not think it's appropriate for U.S. soccer team co-captain Megan Rapinoe to protest during the national anthem.
Foudy: USWNT underwhelming in 1st World Cup test (1:45)
Ticket prices skyrocket for U.S.-France WC match
Ticket prices for the United States' match against France at the Women's World Cup have soared to more than $11,000 on the secondary market.
Sweden beat Canada, get QF match with Germany
Sweden's Stina Blackstenius struck in the second half as they won 1-0 against Canada, who missed a late penalty.
Rapinoe: USA-France is the game everyone wants (2:13)
Graham Hays espnW.com
Alex Morgan, noting Spain might have paid extra attention to her after she left the previous game with a knock: "Maybe the Spain players saw that and wanted to be a little more aggressive with me. But I feel like, if anything, it took them off their game more than it took me off mine."
Graham Hays espnW.com
Megan Rapinoe on the quarterfinal against France in Paris: "Hopefully it's a complete spectacle. Just an absolute media circus. I hope it's huge and crazy. That's what it should be. This is the best game, this is what everybody wanted. I think we want it, seems like they're up for it ... all the fans. Maybe it will be a pretty even split between the fans in the stadium. We've been traveling pretty deep in this World Cup. I hope it's a total [blank]-show circus. It's going to be totally awesome. I think this is what everybody wants."
Sweden advance to quarterfinals, emerge as World Cup dark horse
Sweden were flying below the radar when the World Cup opened. Not anymore after Monday's 1-0 win over Canada and Hedvig Lindahl's heroics in goal.
Any questions how the U.S. will bounce back from mistakes? Not anymore
An errant pass. A costly hesitation. Not a problem for this U.S. squad, which now heads to Paris for a blockbuster match against France.
Graham Hays espnW.com
USWNT survives a physical, hot, difficult game against Spain to advance to quarterfinals against France in Paris. Two penalties converted by Megan Rapinoe, one surviving VAR review, save the day. Whether you like the style or not, few opponents come out as physical and fearless as Spain did. That remains a program on the rise:
U.S. beats Spain with pair of Rapinoe penalties
A pair of Megan Rapinoe penalty kicks handed the U.S. a 2-1 win against a tough Spain side and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup.
Matt Wilansky ESPN.com
Oh, the noise. The jeers. The cheers. The cries. Love it or hate it, Megan Rapinoe converted her second penalty kick of the game to put the U.S. up 2-1 against Spain. Whatever happens, the energy has picked 10-fold in Reims.
Graham Hays espnW.com
The VAR controversy World Cup includes the US now as a penalty kick is held up after review. It was initially given when Rose Lavelle was clipped, albeit slightly, in the box. Referee went to the screen after a long delay but keeps the call. Megan Rapinoe converts her second kick from the spot in the game for a 2-1 lead.
USWNT lawsuit in the news, but pay equality a global fight at Women's World Cup
The women in this year's World Cup have used their voices in this tournament to let the world know pay inequality won't be tolerated.
Graham Hays espnW.com
Tied 1-1 with Spain at half, US finds itself in some serious trouble for first time this World Cup. Spain has looked fearless from start and jumped on chance to pull level when US gifted a chance. We knew Spain would try and possess the ball, but players also look comfortable being as physical in challenges as US. Game may need Lindsey Horan's strength and playmaking in midfield.
Graham Hays espnW.com
Spain equalizes on a US breakdown in the back. Alyssa Naeher's strength is her distribution but it all goes wrong as Spain intercepts and gets too easy of a look. First goal allowed in the tournament by the US. They should not have been a super high pressure moment.
Graham Hays espnW.com
Spain put a scare into US with aggressive play in first minute, but strong response as Tobin Heath earns penalty and Megan Rapinoe converts to put US ahead 1-0. Spain looked very up for the game before that. See how they respond.
Graham Hays espnW.com
Another big American crowd in Reims. US support has been phenomenal all tournament. Trains were apparently packed again today coming from Paris.
Graham Hays espnW.com
Today will be a very different test for the USWNT. Spain isn't necessarily better than Sweden, but it's one of the few teams that will likely try and out-possess and out-pass the Americans. Spain has built a dominant youth system teaching the same possession style at all levels, so it would be a surprise to see them retreat into a shell today.
Graham Hays espnW.com
The USWNT will be at the closest to full strength it has been in the World Cup when it takes the field against Spain. After missing the last game with a hip contusion, Julie Ertz returns to the midfield, while Alex Morgan returns to the starting lineup after she was subbed at halftime in the group finale in what coach Jill Ellis called a precautionary move following a collision. The only mild surprise is Lindsey Horan moving to the bench, with Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle joining Ertz in midfield. But Horan started each of the first three games and has a yellow card. If she picked up another today in a U.S. win, she would miss a quarterfinal against France.
What's next for Brazil's Marta? (1:45)
WWC Standings
| GROUP A | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| Norway | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Nigeria | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| South Korea | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 0 |
| GROUP B | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Germany | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| Spain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| China | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| South Africa | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 0 |
| GROUP C | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Italy | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +5 | 6 |
| Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Brazil | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Jamaica | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -11 | 0 |
| GROUP D | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| England | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 9 |
| Japan | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| Argentina | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
| Scotland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| GROUP E | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Netherlands | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 9 |
| Canada | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
| Cameroon | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 0 |
| GROUP F | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| United States | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +18 | 9 |
| Sweden | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
| Chile | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| Thailand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -19 | 0 |