<!--Article Start--> <h2 style="text-align: justify"><strong><em>Footballing giants Germany and the United States set up a much-anticipated semi-final clash in the Women's World Cup on Friday by beating France and China respectively.</em></strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify">Top-ranked Germany, winners in 2003 and 2007, won a dramatic penalty shoot-out 5-4 to break French hearts after the tie ended 1-1 after 120 minutes in Montreal.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The United States, champions in 1991 and 1999, overpowered China 1-0 in front of a largely American crowd of 24,000 fans at Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadium thanks to a second half Carli Lloyd goal.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The scoreline was deceptive as the young Chinese "Steel Roses" were no match for the world's number two ranked team.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"It was just great, the more pressure we put China under, the more they coughed the ball up," said Lloyd, who earned her 200th cap in the game.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We just kept our foot down on the pedal and that was just what we needed. We're going to be flying in the next game."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Although the Germans played 30 minutes more than the Americans, US coach Jill Ellis doesn't expect that to hamper them in Tuesday's game in Montreal.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"They're Germans, it won't be a disadvantage for them," quipped Ellis.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"I don't think it impacts the players at this level. Everyone who steps on this pitch will be committed to playing."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The Americans shrugged off the absence of two of their key players -- Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday -- through suspension.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"This team steps up in big moments, we didn't have two starters on the field and everybody needed to pitch in. They did a great job," said Ellis.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">China coach Hao Wei blamed himself for their 25th consecutive defeat to the Americans who beat them in the 1999 final.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We lost the game because of me," he said. "These girls did their best. I didn't do well in tactics.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"Our goal was to go to the semi-finals. We didn't fulfill that so it's a pity."</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>'Female Zidane'</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify">Germany got past France thanks to the solid hands of goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who cleared the final penalty of 20-year-old substitute Claire Lavogez.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">France had strong support among the crowd of just under 25,000 in the largely French-speaking city of Montreal.</p> . <p style="text-align: justify">Louisa Necib, dubbed the "Female Zidane" of the French women's game, could only rue a missed chance to score after just 49 seconds, before she finally nailed the opener on 64 minutes.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We were better, we dominated and they're going to play the semi-final," said Necib. "It's always the same feeling when you lose -- disappointment."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Celia Sasic levelled for Germany with a penalty six minutes from time, and in extra-time substitute Gaetane Thiney wasted a late chance to put France into the last four for the second straight time.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We're extremely elated, full of adrenaline right now," said Angerer, 36, a former world player of the year, who was on Germany's 2003 and 2007 title-winning teams.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"It was hard work. We had to fight really hard and we were rewarded."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Germany coach Silvia Neid paid tribute to her side for getting back into the game.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We had to run after it and France were really ahead of us in the first half. But in the second half we really fought hard.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"Our team has proven their character, they managed to flick that switch in the second half and then to get a penalty shoot-out where you have the goalie who can hold those penalties."</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Fourth meeting</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify">Germany, who were shocked in the quarter-finals of their home tournament in 2011, live to fight for a place in their fifth final.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">For the United States it will be a seventh consecutive semi-final in as many editions of the tournament.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The two teams will be meeting for a fourth time, with the winner going on to win the tournament each of the three previous times.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Champions Japan, who beat the US in a penalty shoot-out to take the title four years ago, play Australia in their quarter-final in Edmonton on Saturday, while England tackle hosts Canada in Vancouver.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p>