July 11, 2011 -- Updated 1616 GMT (0016 HKT)
Abby Wambach's last-gasp equalizer sent the match to a penalty shootout, which the U.S. won.
(CNN) -- U.S. women's soccer coach Pia Sundhage has praised the "unbelievable" attitude of her players after their dramatic penalty-shootout victory over Brazil saw them reach the semifinals of the 2011 women's World Cup.
Striker Abby Wambach equalized for the U.S. to make it 2-2 in stoppage time at the end of extra-time, before goalkeeper Hope Solo saved defender Daiane's penalty in the ensuing shootout to ultimately hand victory to the Americans.
Alex Krieger, 26, scored the fifth and final penalty to secure a dramatic victory for the two-time world champions, who had been a player down since the 66th minute after Rachel Buehler was red carded for a trip on five-time FIFA world player of the year Marta.
"I have no words," former Sweden international Sundhage told U.S. soccer's official web site. "Phenomenal. The goal and then the penalties. Someone is writing this book. There is something about the American attitude to find a way to win. Unbelievable.
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"Right now I'm the happiest person on earth. This American attitude of pulling everything together and bringing out the best performance in each other is contagious. I am very, very proud and I'm very, very happy to be the coach for the U.S. team."
Wambach, 31, echoed the sentiments of her coach and spoke of the spirit and determination within the camp.
"I really don't know what to say," the Magic Jack forward said. "I think that is a perfect example of what this country is about, what the history of this team has always been. We never give up.
"We literally went to the last second it seems. I mean, Hope. How many penalties has she saved legitimately today? We never gave up. Brazil is a great team. I really don't have many words for this."
Solo also faced a penalty during regular time, when she saved an effort from Cristiane only to see referee Jacqui Melksham order the spot kick to be retaken.
Marta converted for Brazil at the second attempt, but Solo had her revenge when she repelled Daiane's penalty during the shootout.
"Going up against two different penalty kicks during the flow of the game by two different players kind of threw me off during the shootout," the 29-year-old said.
"It's a hard way to win. It's a hard way to lose. You want the better team to win and I think the better team did win, but sometimes it doesn't always go that way. You never know what is going to happen, but I was confident."
The U.S. will now face France in the last four on Wednesday, after they also needed penalties to eliminate England.
The other semifinal pits Japan against Sweden.
Credit: CNN (www.cnn.com)
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