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'Grab their sacks': Alex Morgan hits back at critics for celebration 'double standards'

US Women’s football star Alex Morgan has hit back at the critics who slammed her for the ‘tea cup’ celebration during her team’s victory over England in the World Cup.

The USWNT progressed to the final of the competition with a 2-1 win over the Lionesses in what proved to be a headline-grabbing game for a number of reasons – but Morgan divided opinion with her celebration after netting her side’s second.

Morgan celebrated her 31st-minute headed goal, which proved to be the match-winner, with a tea-sipping gesture while Alyssa Naeher saved an 84th-minute penalty from England's Steph Houghton.

The celebration was widely panned, including from Juventus forward Lianne Sanderson, who labelled the gesture “distasteful”.

But Morgan has hit back at the critics claiming men get away with a lot more and was surprised with all the criticism.

“I feel that there is some sort of double standard for females in sports, to feel like we have to be humble in our success and have to celebrate, but not too much or in a limited fashion,” Morgan told reporters.

“You see men celebrating all over the world in big tournaments, grabbing their sacks or whatever it is. And when I look at supping a cup of tea, I am a little taken aback by the criticism.”

Morgan was potentially referring to Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone’s celebrations this that saw them fined for gesturing towards their crutch.

The US will face the Netherlands in the World Cup final.

Alex Morgan of the USA celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Semi Final match between England and USA at Stade de Lyon on July 02, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Alex Morgan of the USA celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Semi Final match between England and USA at Stade de Lyon on July 02, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)