FIFA Womens World Cup 2023: Sweden Knocked Out USA in Shootout

The reigning champions, the United States, were knocked out of the Women's World Cup on penalties by Sweden on a night of extraordinary drama in Melbourne. The United States dominated the game for 120 minutes but were thwarted by an amazing goalkeeping effort by Zecira Musovic. Sweden defeated the United States on penalties, 5-4, to eliminate the two-time reigning champions from the Women's World Cup after the teams were tied at 0-0 at the end of extra time. Lina Hurtig scored the game-winning penalty kick in a shootout on Sunday, but US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher parried the ball on the line, necessitating VAR review. 

 

The drama only intensified throughout the gunfight. Three USA players were absent, including football icon Megan Rapinoe, who was making her final appearance on the world stage, before Sweden won in dramatic fashion. Lina Hurtig's second-half effort appeared to have been saved by USA keeper Alyssa Naeher, who appeared to have pushed the initial effort up before clawing it out. However, after consulting with the video assistance referee (VAR), referee Stephanie Frappart awarded the score, sparking wild celebrations in Sweden. Sweden advances to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Japan. 

 

They were grateful to Musovic, who made 11 stops in a game in which the United States looked more like the team that won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 than the one that squeaked past the group stage. But they couldn't score, as Rapinoe, Sophia Smith, and Kelley O'Hara all missed in the shootout, Rapinoe with her final World Cup play before retiring at the end of the year. It condemns the United States to their worst tournament performance. They had never before failed to advance to the semi-finals. Before Sunday, the United States had not arrived at the World Cup party. 

 

They have been heavily criticized in their native country for being flat and uninspired as they finished second in Group E while failing to win two first-round matches for the first time in this competition. Manager Vlatko Andonovski had to make adjustments, especially since crucial midfielder Rose Lavelle was suspended for this game, and shifted Julie Ertz from center-back to midfield as the USA switched from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1 formation. They dominated play in the first half and were only denied the lead by Musovic and the crossbar. Trinity Rodman stung Musovic's gloves twice before Lindsey Horan rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner. 

 

The United States appeared to be a proud nation driven into action by foreign criticism and internal understanding that they had not been good enough thus far. A ball recovery time of under six seconds in the first half demonstrated this. After the half, they continued to create chances, with Horan and Alex Morgan stopped by superb Musovic saves and Emily Sonnett firing over from the edge of the area. But they needed a goal to make their domination count, and as they worked for it, the audience that had followed them to Melbourne became more nervous as the game entered extra time. Stay tuned with us for the latest FIFA world cup live score, FIFA match updates, and more!