Lucky and good: U.S. claims dramatic win over Germany to reach Women's World Cup final

The United States picked a good time to come up with its best performance of the 2015 Women's World Cup.

After being questioned and (rightfully) criticised throughout the tournament for a series of nondescript performances, the Americans delighted their rabid fanbase with a 2-0 victory over top-ranked Germany in an enthralling semifinal match Tuesday, booking a place in the showpiece contest of the competition through goals from Carli Lloyd and Kelley O'Hara.

And yet, even when they step up on the biggest stage - as they have promised all along they are capable of - there are questions. At least this time, they're being directed at the referee, and not Jill Ellis' team selection or the performance of the players.

After a goalless first half in which the United States dominated - and were denied the opening tally only by the reflexes of German shot-stopper Nadine Angerer - the second stanza came with more than its share of contentious decisions and astonishing outcomes.

Germany, who had put together its most dominant spell of the contest coming out of the interval, was awarded a penalty in the 64th minute after a rare error by the previously infallible Julie Johnston. The American defender, running toward her own goal in chase of a loose ball, attempted to chest it down instead of heading it back to Hope Solo or hoofing it clear.

Alexandra Popp, chasing her down, jumped on Johnston's poor touch and was yanked down by the shoulder.

And then things got fun.

Romanian referee Teodora Albon opted, for some reason, not to send Johnston off, showing her just a yellow card instead. German supporters surely groaned, but could take solace in the fact that Celia Sasic, the leading scorer in the tournament with six goals, was waiting at the spot.

Yeah, about that ...

Sasic, who scored a pair of penalties in the quarterfinal win over France - once during the match and then again in the shootout - opted to go to her left, but put her low strike wide of the post to the delight of the pro-American crowd in attendance at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

Only five minutes later, a contentious foul call on Alex Morgan - who was impeded outside the German penalty area, resulted in Albon pointing to the spot again. Lloyd, thriving over the last two matches playing in her more natural position right behind the striker, went high, sending Angerer the wrong way to give the U.S. a lead they would not relinquish.

When O'Hara finished off a gorgeous attacking move in the 84th minute, one half of the tournament bracket officially started to be filled in.

And while many will point to the officiating decisions that benefited the Americans, the fact of the matter was, simply, they were the better team, and are fully deserving of their place in the final.

The United States now awaits the result of Wednesday's semifinal between Japan and England, and will make the trip to Vancouver for Sunday's final with hopes of finishing the job and claiming a record third Women's World Cup crown.

Here's what you need to know about a thoroughly entertaining, controversy-filled match that will have many talking for quite some time ...

The Goals

69th minute (PENALTY) - Carli Lloyd, United States: After Sasic shanked her penalty horribly wide, Lloyd stepped to the spot and calmly did what the German could not, slotting her effort into the top corner. Of course, all the talk was of the call that led to the goal, as replays showed the foul committed on Alex Morgan was clearly out of the penalty area.

84th minute - Kelley O'Hara, United States: Germany pressed hard for a late equalizer, but the Americans killed those hopes with a wonderful goal to secure the win, with substitute Abby Wambach holding up play well and rolling the ball through for Lloyd, who made a darting run into the penalty area and sent a cutback across the face of goal for an onrushing O'Hara, whose outstretched leg poked it into a yawning net. Game. Set. Match.

Women of the Match - Carli Lloyd, Becky Sauerbrunn

It's hard to argue against the woman who scored one goal - even if it was from the spot - and set up the other in a contest that only saw the back of the net rippled twice.

Lloyd, rejuvenated over the last two matches, is very quickly putting her early-tournament struggles behind her. The American captain gets the nod here. If you're uncomfortable with giving someone credit for scoring a penalty, just ask Sasic how difficult it is. Too soon?

As for Sauerbrunn, well ...

That isn't wrong, either.

Honorable Mention: Nadine Angerer

The 1,000 Words

"What have I done?"

Stray Thoughts

• Morgan Brian, once again playing in a deep midfield role for the United States, was immense, recording 10 interceptions and winning 6 tackles. She was also involved in a frightening head-to-head collision with Alexandra Popp in the opening half, one which left the American looking dazed and the German bloodied. It called into question the sport's concussion protocols, which have long come under serious criticism for their apparent lackadaisical nature.

• Building off the note about Sauerbrunn above, this American defense, though aided by some luck this evening, is still unfathomably solid ...

• So, about that U.S. penalty. German manager Silvia Neid acknowledged after the match that the foul on Morgan was "clearly outside of the goal area," and the photographic evidence certainly doesn't make a liar out of her ...

(Courtesy: @FlyByKnite)

• It's a shame for Germany that midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan was struggling with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old came on late as the Germans pressed for an equalizer, but she was clearly struggling, and offered little aside from some neat lateral passes in her brief cameo.

• Credit has to be given to Jill Ellis, who was derided for her team selection throughout the competition - and rightfully so. In the team's biggest match thus far, she hit the nail on the head, picking a team that could trouble Germany with pace in wide areas, and, more importantly, one that could dictate play in the center of midfield - something that had hampered the U.S. since their opening game against the Australians. You can complain that it took this long, but it's certainly a case of better-late-than-never.