find the back of the net and give the usa an important early lead over the host to see the defending champions really tamp their authority on the pretenders to their crown. >> we would like to play a little nicer today but we're moving on to the semis. into the medal rounds. i think we have england, right? the next game. we'll enjoy this for sure. it was so special to be able to beat the host nation in france. you can't ask for anything more than this. >> reporter: this was a proper world cup atmosphere. an atmosphere that wouldn't have been out of place at the men's tournament in russia 12 months ago where the fans were so celebrated. with all of the hope, expectation and roaring support, the french just couldn't find a way through. and in turn, find their hearts broken for the fifth time in five major tournaments at this, the quarterfinal stage. this will, you suspect, hurt the most right here on home soil. for the u.s. and rapinoe, the