Reigning champions USA are DUMPED OUT of the Women’s World Cup on penalties after a
Reigning champions USA are DUMPED OUT of the Women’s World Cup on penalties after a dramatic shoot-out saw three USWNT stars – including Megan Rapinoe – miss to see Sweden advance
- The USA are out of the World Cup after losing 5-4 on penalties to Sweden
- They dominated the clash but were thwarted by Swedish keeper Zecira Musovic
- Sweden progress to the quarter-finals where they will take on Japan on Friday
Sweden reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup after defeating the USWNT 5-4 on penalties following a dramatic last-16 clash.
The World Cup holders headed into the game under pressure, having come second in their group and faced a Sweden side who had topped theirs with three comfortable wins from three.
Vlatko Andonovski’s outfit were much better as they dominated the clash but were thwarted by several superb saves from Swedish stopper Zecira Musovic.
Lindsey Horan also hit the crossbar in the first half, before Musovic pulled off a sensational one-handed stop from her in the second half. In the final moments of the 90 minutes, she also prevented a certain Alex Morgan goal from point-blank range.
The US continued to dominate in extra-time but couldn’t force a breakthrough before a dramatic penalty shootout.
Sweden reached the World Cup quarter-finals after defeating the USWNT 5-4 on penalties
Lina Hurtig scored the decisive penalty as Sweden fought back from 3-2 down in the shootout
There was much drama as it wasn’t clear whether her effort – which was originally saved by Alyssa Naeher – had crossed the line, before VAR ruled that it had to send Sweden through
USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe was one of three American stars to miss their spot kick
It was heartbreak for the holders who put in their best performance of the whole tournament
They raced into a 3-2 lead, but Megan Rapinoe missed her effort, before Sophia Smith blazed over when she had the chance to win the tie.
It went to sudden death before Kelley O’Hara hit the post and Lina Hurtig had the opportunity to send Sweden through.
Her effort was saved by Alyssa Naeher, but rebounded up in the air. The US keeper clawed it out but there was a delay over whether it had crossed the line, before VAR ruled it had to send Sweden through.
Sweden keeper Zecira Musovic pulled off several fine saves to keep her side in the game
One particular save was absolutely stunning as she tipped Horan’s effort around the post
She forced the tie into extra-time with another superb stop from Alex Morgan right at the end
Lindsey Horan also hit the crossbar in the first half with a thumping header from a corner
It was a hard-fought game as both sides battled against each other across 120 minutes
Trinity Rodan (left) and Horan (right) were both bright and provided a danger for Sweden
Chelsea and Swedish stopper Musovic was in absolutely inspired form to keep the US at bay
It was a frustrating game for the USWNT who just couldn’t seem to make their pressure count
Two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe, 38, was introduced in extra-time by the USWNT