Topics: FIFA Women's World Cup, France, Alex Morgan, USA, Megan Rapinoe
The competition's top-goalscorer was benched!

The internet has reacted to the surprise omission of the Megan Rapinoe ahead of the semifinal showdown between USA and England in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The striker, whose brace against France fired Jill Ellis' ladies to the last four stage, could not earn and spot in the starting lineup with the reason still unknown.

Rapinoe, who is currently the joint-top scorer in the tournament with five goals, did not participate in the pre-game warm-up. However, she was named on the substitute bench with Alex Morgan taking over as skipper for Tuesday's encounter.

It is somewhat believed that the decision might have been for tactical reason as there were no prior report of the 33-year-old attacker picking up an injury. In her place, Christen Press was started as her ability to track back and defend could come in handy against England's full back Lucy Bronze who often makes surging attacking runs.

Nonetheless, the US Soccer Federation is yet to give a reason regarding Rapinoe's omission although fans are not having any of the development.

Meanwhile, England also made a bold statement of their own but for precautionary reasons. The Lioness England replaced goalkeeper Karen Bardsley with Carly Telford as the latter apparently picked up a hamstring injury.