The top-class battle between four-time winners and defending champions the United States and European powerhouse Sweden at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Sunday delivered yet another shocking end in a line of many in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The third-ranked team in the world, Sweden, sent the United States packing following a 5-4 win on penalties after the match ended in a goalless stalemate at the end of regulation time.
The heavyweight round of 16 tie was the first to progress to extra time in the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after the previous three matches ended within normal time.
????????Defending champions #USA are out of the #FIFAWWC after losing 5-4 on penalties to #SWE in the round of 16.
This year's tournament continues to deliver shockers!!!????#Afrosport #AUSNZL2023 #USASWE #USWNT #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/2lycMCk0PM
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) August 6, 2023
The reigning CONCACAF champions controlled the game and had all the possessions but failed to convert any of them into goals. The United States threatened the Swedish team, ending the tie with 11 shots on target to their opponents one.
Sweden’s goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who was the heroine for the Europeans, made some breathtaking saves during regulation time, denying USWNT captain Lindsey Horan twice before drawing another brilliant save from Alex Morgan.
After French referee Stephanie Frappart blew the whistle at the end of 120 minutes, penalties beckoned, and the United States’ Andi Sullivan took the first spot kick, which she scored. Sweden’s leading forward, Fridolina Rolfo, leveled it at 1-1 with her own penalty.
Horan and Elin Rubensson made it 2-2; Kristie Mewis scored for the US but Nathalie Bjorn missed for Sweden; the experienced Megan Rapinoe stepped up for the defending champions, but the 38-year-old skied her shot over the bar, as did Rebecka Blomqvist for Sweden.
22-year-old Sophia Smith followed suit for the US, but she couldn’t convert hers either before Hanna Bennison leveled proceedings at 3-3. United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson both converted their respective spotkicks.
Then 35-year-old defender Kelly O’hara hit the post with her attempt, leaving the door open for the Swedes to take the game. Sweden’s No. 8 Lina Hurtig stepped up after a long, lonely walk from the center.
The 27-year-old Arsenal forward’s penalty was well followed by Naeher, but the goalie failed to keep it out completely as the ball bounced over her and back into the net. Frappart called for the help of VAR, and the kick was certified as a goal, helping the Europeans defeat the record winners and tournament favorites.
The cracks have always been there for the United States, who failed to score or win a game in three consecutive Women’s World Cup matches for the first time. The defeat also meant they had been knocked out before the semifinal stage for the first time in history.
Sweden, who topped Group G and finished the group stages with a 100% record, will now face Japan, who defeated another European side in Norway, in the quarterfinals on Friday, August 11, at Eden Park in Auckland.
