Beautiful Pinpoint Passing Helps England Finally Get Past Incredible Argentina GK Correa

For what seemed like an eternity, England could not find a way past Vanina Correa.

The Argentina No. 1 stopped everything the Three Lionesses threw at her, even becoming the first player to save a penalty kick taken by an England player at a Women’s World Cup.

It took, in the end, a perfect piece of play from England to finally get past Correa, resulting in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Argentina in Group D action on Friday. 

Vanina Correa made huge save after huge save against England, finishing with six stops and a career’s worth of highlights. 

In the 28th minute, Correa stopped a penalty kick from Nikita Parris, who had converted a penalty against Scotland on Sunday. It began a spree of saves that continued into the second half as England did everything but put the ball in the back of the net.

#WWCTelemundo ¡Portera, portera! Vanina Correa en una gran atajada salva a la #ARG y evita que Nikita Parris de #ENG anote de penal pic.twitter.com/t30ww7V6fw

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 14, 2019

#WWCTelemundo ¡Con las manos, con los pies, con todo! Vanina Corra de #ARG está imparable y ha sido en esta primera mitad la jugadora del encuentro pic.twitter.com/Zmjpj3pVDV

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 14, 2019

#WWCTelemundo ¿Cómo vio esa pelota? buena reacción de Vanina Correa de #ARG y su portería sigue imbatible. pic.twitter.com/6SVYgqXU4y

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 14, 2019

Eventually, England found a way. 

Chelsea’s Fran Kirby started the match-winning play by finding Arsenal winger Beth Mead on the left flank and playing a precise ball into her path. The pass allowed Mead the time and space to send another perfect pass across goal where Reign FC’s Jodie Taylor was waiting. Taylor could not miss from that close and Correa never had a chance at a save.

#WWCTelemundo ¡Llegó el gol! #ENG se pone arriba en el marcador con este gol de @Jodes_14, gran asistencia de @bmeado9 pic.twitter.com/JWkMLuUgZN

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 14, 2019

England held on for the 1-0 win, with Argentina rarely threatening, but the Three Lionesses never found another way past the impressive Correa. England now knows a draw or win over Japan in the final Group D match would be enough for first place. 

The Albicelestes stunned Japan with a 0-0 draw on Monday for their first-ever point. They now go into the Group D finale against Scotland knowing they likely need a win for any chance to advance.