Sweden eliminates U.S. on penalty kicks in round of 16 at Women’s World Cup
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The United States performed its greatest recreation of this Women’s World Cup and it wasn’t adequate.
The Americans’ bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended Sunday night time on penalty kicks when Lina Hurtig transformed and Sweden knocked the United States out of the World Cup 5-4 after a scoreless draw.
It is the earliest exit in event historical past for the United States, the two-time reigning champions and four-time winners.
“We didn’t put anything in the back of the net,” sobbed Julie Ertz after the loss. “The penalties were tough. It’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever. It’s just tough. It’s an emotional time. It obviously sucks. Penalties are the worst.”
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher fruitlessly argued she had saved Hurtig’s try, but it surely was dominated over the road. The stadium performed Abba’s “Dancing Queen” within the stadium because the Swedes celebrated.
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The United States was eradicated within the Round of 16 for the primary time in group historical past. The American’s worst end had been third place, thrice.
The loss was considerably anticipated based mostly on the Americans’ listless play by way of three group stage matches. But they performed their greatest recreation of this World Cup towards Sweden, solely to have it determined by penalties.
“I am proud of the women on the field,” stated U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski. “I know we were criticized for the way we played, and for different moments in the group stage. I think we came out today and showed the grit, the resilience, the fight. The bravery showed we did everything we could to win the game. And, unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes.”
It was the primary match at this World Cup to go to additional time.
It was the fourth time the Americans went to additional time on the World Cup. All three earlier matches went to penalties, together with the 2011 ultimate received by Japan. The U.S. received on penalties in a 2011 quarterfinal match towards Brazil, and within the 1999 ultimate on the ultimate on the Rose Bowl towards China.
Sweden knocked the United States out of the 2016 Olympics within the quarterfinals on penalties.
Sweden goes on to the quarterfinals to play Japan, the 2011 World Cup winner, which defeated Norway 3-1 on Saturday night time.
Sweden has by no means received a significant worldwide event, both the World Cup or the Olympics. The closest the group has come is World Cup runner-up in 2003. They completed in third within the 1999, 2011 and 2019 editions, and received silver medals within the final two Olympics.
The end result ended the worldwide profession of United States star Megan Rapinoe, who stated this may be her final World Cup. She had taken on a smaller position for the Americans in her ultimate event and was a substitute within the United States’ first and third video games of group play, and didn’t get off the bench within the center match.
She got here on in additional time towards Sweden and in her ultimate recreation and jiffy of motion, she failed to regulate a ball performed in deep, whiffed on a rebound, hit the facet of the online with a nook after which missed the penalty that might have received the sport for the United States.
The Americans struggled by way of group play with simply 4 objectives in three matches. They have been almost eradicated final Tuesday by first-timers Portugal however eked out a 0-0 draw to fall to second of their group for simply the second time at a World Cup.
The Americans regarded much better towards Sweden, dominating possession and outshooting the Swedes 5-1 within the first half alone. Lindsey Horan’s first-half header hit the crossbar and a second-half blast was saved by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had six saves in regulation.
Sweden received all three of their group video games, together with a 5-0 rout of Italy in its ultimate group match. Coach Peter Gerhardsson made 9 lineup modifications for the match, resting his starters in anticipation of the United States.
It was tense from the opening whistle.
Naeher punched the ball away from a crowded aim on an early Sweden nook kick. Three of the Swedes’ objectives towards Italy got here on set items.
Trinity Rodman’s shot from distance within the 18th minute was simply caught by Musovic, who stopped one other likelihood by Rodman within the twenty seventh.
Horan’s header off Andi Sullivan’s nook within the thirty fourth hit the crossbar and passed over the aim. Horan was on track within the 53rd minute however Musovic dove to push it huge. Horan crouched to the sphere in frustration whereas Musovic was swarmed by her teammates.
The United States was with out Rose Lavelle, who picked up her second yellow card of the event within the group stage finale towards Portugal and has to take a seat out towards Sweden.
In Lavelle’s absence, Andonovski began Emily Sonnett, who was making her first begin for the group since 2022. The addition of Sonnett allowed Horan to maneuver up increased within the midfield.
Sweden pressed within the ultimate 10 minutes of regulation. Sofia Jakobsson, who got here in instead within the 81st minute, almost scored within the eighty fifth however Naeher managed to catch it for her first save of the event.
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