The United States women's soccer team has reached the World Cup final for the first time since it last won the title on home soil in 1999.

The U.S. scored twice in a four-minute span late in the second half Wednesday to defeat France, 3-1, in Moenchengladbach, Germany.

Star American striker Abby Wambach broke a 1-1 deadlock with a header off Lauren Cheney's corner kick in the 79th minute. It was Wambach's third goal of the tournament and 12th of her career, tying her with fellow American Michelle Akers for third on the all-time World Cup scoring list.

Twenty-two year-old Alex Morgan, the youngest player on the U.S. team, added an insurance goal in the 82nd minute, beating three defenders on a breakaway and deftly lifting the ball over the French goalkeeper.

The U.S. will play in Sunday's final in Frankfurt against the winner of Wednesday's other semifinal between Japan and Sweden.

This was the first semifinal appearance in the six FIFA Women's World Cups for both France and Japan.