Courage Survive Reign in Extra Time to Return to NWSL Final

Debinha's free kick sent the North Carolina Courage on their way back to the NWSL title match.

CARY, N.C. (AP) – Debinha scored on a free kick in extra time to snap a tie, and the North Carolina Courage went on to defeat Reign FC 4-1 in extra time on Sunday to advance to the National Women's Soccer League championship game.

The Courage, winners of the NWSL Shield for the third straight year with a league-best 15-5-4 record, will host the Chicago Red Stars, who beat the Portland Thorns 1-0 in the other semifinal.

Heather O'Reilly, who is retiring at the end of this season, scored on a penalty kick in the 88th minute to give the Courage the lead. Before the penalty, Reign goalkeeper Casey Murphy held off a barrage of shots with eight saves.

Ifeoma Onumonu, who came in as a substitute for the Reign in the 79th minute, scored in stoppage time to send the match into overtime.

STUNNER 😱@ify_on22 levels the match at the death!

1-1 | #NCvSEA pic.twitter.com/7HuZ5OOb3M

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 20, 2019

Debinha's goal came in the 99th minute for the Courage, who set a league record with 54 goals in the regular season. North Carolina padded the lead with an own goal and another goal from Crystal Dunn.

WOW@Debinha restores the lead to @TheNCCourage with a sheer piece of magic.

2-1 | #NCvSEA pic.twitter.com/p6hiy4b4NF

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 20, 2019

.@TheNCCourage takes a commanding lead into the second half of extra time.

3-1 | #NCvSEA pic.twitter.com/PpqXnKJY9O

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 20, 2019

Running away with it 🏃‍♀️💨@crysdunn_19 tacks on a fourth goal for @TheNCCourage.

4-1 | #NCvSEA on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/GStuURwEsk

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 20, 2019

The Reign finished fourth in the league with a 10-6-8 regular season record.

The Reign's season ends amid rumors that coach Vlatko Andonovski is the front-runner to coach the U.S. national team. Jill Ellis, who led the team to back-to-back World Cup victories, stepped down earlier this month. Courage coach Paul Riley and Utah Royals coach Laura Harvey have announced they aren't pursuing the post.

The title game is set for next Sunday.