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What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
We might find out in Lyon on Tuesday evening local time, when Women’s World Cup mainstays Team USA face one of the form sides of the tournament, England.
Both teams cruised into the semi-finals – the United States with a clinical victory over hosts France, England by demolishing the Norwegian team that had earlier seen off Australia.
But only one can emerge victorious from the cauldron of the Stade de Lyon and book their place in the World Cup final.
Can the Lionesses, a rising force in women’s football under the savvy guidance of Phil Neville, secure their first ever appearance in the tournament decider?
Or will the Americans – who have missed just three finals in the 28 year history of the Women's World Cup – retain their historical dominance?
Here are five things that might determine the outcome in Lyon.
1. Can anyone stop Rapinoe?
Even President Donald Trump can’t stop USWNT icon Megan Rapinoe.
After an old video surfaced of Rapinoe indicating in no unclear terms that she would not visit the White House, a social media storm threatened to overshadow the Americans’ quarter-final.
Rapinoe was defiant, in the face of criticism from Trump.
“I stand by the comments that I made about not wanting to go to the White House, with the exception of the expletive,” she said. “My mom will be very upset about that.”
The national team veteran then delivered on the pitch, collecting a brace against France to send her joint top of the golden boot tally.
If Trump, Thailand, Chile, Sweden, Spain and France are unable to stop Rapinoe, can the English?
While coach Phil Neville was quick to admit that Rapinoe “is a world class footballer”, he was optimistic about his squad’s ability to keep the attacker quiet.
Neville pointed to Rachel Daly’s defensive effort against Rapinoe at the SheBelieves tournament.
Whether Daly or Lucy Bronze takes the job of marking Rapinoe, they will have a long night ahead in Lyon.
2. Will Bronze be the difference?
If England are to qualify for their first-ever final and avenge the team’s heart-breaking extra-time exit from the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup, Bronze will need to shine against the United States.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for the 27-year-old, who plays her club football with Lyon.
While Neville openly pondered the possibility of moving Bronze into the midfield, to enable Daly to mark Rapinoe, USA boss Jill Ellis was unconvinced.
“I would imagine she would be at right back – I think the tandem of her and [Nikita] Parris wide is one of their best attacking weapons.”
Wherever she starts and whatever the result, expect Bronze to have a big game. Neville was effusive with praise.
“I do believe she is the best player in the world,” the coach offered.
“She is unique in everything she does. Her athleticism, her ability to defend one v one, she’s fearless in everything that she does, and her ability to step up on the big occasion.”
3. Storm in a tea cup, or American arrogance?
Eyebrows were raised when two American officials were caught scouting out the England team’s hotel.
Team USA is, reportedly, set to move into that accommodation if they win on Wednesday (AEST).
Ellis was quick to dismiss the controversy as a media beat-up. “I would assume everyone is doing that – you have to plan ahead,” she offered.
But Neville admitted to being perturbed by the interruption and apparent disrespect.
“It’s not something I would want my team ops person doing,” he said on Sunday. “It’s not something England would do.”
The incident raised broader questions about the American side’s mentality.
Earlier in the tournament, their defender Ali Krieger suggested: “We have the best team in the world, and the second-best team in the world.”
The comments were widely interpreted as indicative of American arrogance; one opponent quipped in reply “who is Ali Krieger?”
Ellis rejected the arrogance label ahead of the semi-final.
“It is really a comment about ourselves,” she said of Krieger’s words.
“It’s important that our team has confidence – I don’t think in any way this is an arrogant team.”
If the Americans are arrogant, a win over England will suggest they have every right to be.
“They’re the best team in the world without a shadow of a doubt,” admitted Lionesses boss Neville.
He then added, less convincingly. “But I’m not worried about anything.”
4. Will this match determine the golden boot?
Prior to the semi-finals, four players sit atop the golden boot tally on five goals each: Sam Kerr, Ellen White, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.
Kerr’s Australia are already eliminated.
Whichever of England’s White or the American duo of Rapinoe and Morgan fires their side to success in Lyon will likely move ahead in the goal tally.
Unless Dutch ace Vivianne Miedema, currently on three goals, finds her scoring boots and grabs a handful in the other semi-final, or there is an unexpected goal rush in the third place match or the final, the golden boot could be decided on Tuesday.
“I would love someone on our team to win the golden boot,” Morgan said ahead of the match.
“Of course it would be a great accolade, but that’s not my goal – my goal is to help this team win a World Cup.”
5. Which team has the fitness advantage?
We are now into the final week of a grueling month-long tournament.
While neither side has yet faced extra-time or penalties, the fatigue of five matches in three weeks has taken a toll.
It is in the fitness stakes that England could have an advantage. They had a comfortable quarter-final win over Norway on Thursday, while the USA were tested in a physical encounter 24 hours later against France.
American tennis star Serena Williams was so impressed by England’s physical abilities when she watched them train recently that she admitted: “I couldn’t do that.”
Steph Houghton was appreciative for the compliment at the pre-match press conference, and indicated that fitness could be where the game is won.
“For her to say that is amazing for this squad – we pride ourselves on our hard work and our ability to be one of the fittest squads in the world,” said England’s captain.
“Against USA on Tuesday it is going to be our physical attributes that could potentially win us the game.”
Kieran Pender is covering the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup for The World Game. Follow him on Twitter:
