Thorns FC forward Jodie Taylor and the English Women are moving on to an historic semifinal appearance after holding on to defeat host Canada 2-1 in Vancouver.
The match got off to a frenetic start as Christine Sinclair nutmegged two English defenders and sent a beautiful cross towards teammate Melissa Tancredi, but Tancredi failed to convert the chance.
Canada would rue the missed opportunity when just minutes later, English forward Jodie Taylor brilliantly capitalized on a Canadian defensive error and put the English up 1-0 early.
Then, in the 13th minute, the English did it again. This time, defender Lucy Bronze sent a looping header off a free kick over the outstreched hands of Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod and just like that the English had improbably gone up 2-0 on the hosts (WATCH: full match highlights from Fox Sports).
But Canada struck back. In the 42nd minute, English goalkeeper Karen Bardsley let slip her save and Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair jumped on the rebound. Suddenly, the Canadians were right back in the match.
The English, however, were not about to let the Canadians equalize. Every player was constantly pressuring Canadian attackers and disrupting Canada's passing rhythms. Taylor was a big part of that effort, going the full 90 and scoring that critical early goal.
Four Thorns FC players got into the match, as Rhian Wilkinson started in defense for Canada and midfielder Kaylyn Kyle came in as a late substitute.
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Meanwhile, in Saturday's early game, Portland Thorns FC defender Steph Catley and her Australian teammates were knocked out of the World Cup by reigning champions Japan.
After a strong defensive performance, the Matildas finally succumbed in the 87th minute when, after some confusion in the box after a corner kick, Japanese forward Mana Iwabuchi pounced on a chance near the goal line. Her effort gave the Japanese a 1-0 lead that they did not relinquish.
Despite the loss, praise poured in for Catley and the Australian defense, who snuffed out Japanese chance after Japanese chance throughout the game and who gave their team the chance to win the game right until the final whistle.
