Women’s World Cup: USA out after shootout loss to Sweden

Sweden have knocked out reigning champions USA to reach the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals, after a stunning penalty shootout win in Melbourne.

USA dominated for the entire 120 minutes but a world-class performance by Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic kept the score goalless.

In the shootout, Megan Rapinoe, on her final USA appearance, Sophia Smith and Kelley O’Hara all missed and USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher nearly saved Lina Hurtig’s effort but goal-line technology showed the ball had gone millimetres over the line.

Sweden will face 2011 champions Japan in the last eight after they beat Norway yesterday.

“It’s a tough moment. It’s a moment where it’s hard to go through where you hope it didn’t cross the line,” USA manager Vlatko Andonovski said.

“I see pictures and I still can’t see it now, but proves how cruel this game can be.”

The loss means USA have failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever and brings to an end their run of two successive Women’s World Cup wins.

USA have struggled to find the back of the net throughout the group stage and needed a draw against tournament debutants Portugal to get out of Group E.

Their struggles in front of goal cost them their place in the tournament with 22 shots failing to find the net.

Musovic’s 11 saves kept her team in it and will have many people wondering why she has spent the last season warming the bench at Chelsea.

Lindsey Horan’s shot looked like nestling into the bottom-right corner before a terrific diving save turned it round the post.

Trinity Rodman was stopped twice by the goalkeeper and she denied Alex Morgan, Lynn Williams and Smith in extra-time to force a penalty shootout.

Smith had a chance to win the shootout for USA but blazed the ball well wide, before O’Hara hit the post.

Naeher got a hand to Hurtig’s spot-kick before trying to scoop the ball away but, after a lengthy wait for confirmation, goal-line technology showed that the ball had gone over the line by the slimmest of margins as Sweden ended USA’s era of dominance at the Women’s World Cup.

“I had a really good feeling before the game, there was a good feeling among the squad,” said Musovic.

“During the game you have to have each others’ backs, we knew we were facing a really good team. I am extremely proud.

“To be able to perform in that way, it takes a lot of hard work that nobody sees. The reason I am a goalkeeper is to give our team the best chance to win the game. You just do what you do, it feels natural.”

Cover Photo: Flag of Sweden” by Florian Prischl is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .