Sweden: The current champions fell in the penalty shootout after a very competitive and even match.
The fifth shot, by the Swedish Lina Hurtig, was saved by the American goalkeeper Naeher, although the ball had already entered, and the referee gave it for good.
America’s reign is faltering. The four-time world champions will be unable to add their fifth World Cup after falling cruelly and with suspense against Sweden in a competitive match of greater American dominance—however, the penalty shootout resolved in favour of the Nordics.
Both teams drew to zero in regulation time with a first half in which the reigning world champion took control of the ball but without generating clear chances of goal and in which Sweden did not shoot on goal in the first 45 minutes. He continued dominating the American squad in the second half without specifying his plays.
Those of Vlatko Andonovski, who put the star Megan Rapinoe on the green to provide fresh legs to their attack in the final stretch, had the best opportunity to open the scoring in a cross-shot by Lynn Williams that masterfully saved the goal Zecira Musovic, attentive to put a perfect hand, Without a doubt the heroine of this meeting. The absence of the sanctioned Rose Lavelle, replaced by Emily Sonnet, was excessively noticed.
The United States had more shots on target (14) than its rival (7). At this point, the match went to extra time and finally to the decisive penalty shootout.
In it, Sweden won 5-4 in a last shot with suspense, since with 4-4 on the scoreboard, the decisive try of the Swedish Lina Hurtig was saved by the American goalkeeper Naher, although the ball had entered the goal.
The referee Stephanie Frappart consulted him, and after a few seconds of uncertainty, she gave him sound to be validated by the technological consultation. Sweden thus eliminates the United States and reaches the quarterfinals.
Sheet:
Sweden: Zecira Musovic; Nathalie Bjorn, Amanada Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson; Flilippa Angeldal (m.97, Hanna Bennison), Kosovare Asllani (m.81, Lina Hurtig), Elin Rubensson; Johanna Kaneryd (m.81, Sofia Jakobsson), Fridolina Rolfö, Stina Blackstenius (m.112, Rebecka Blomqvist).
United States: Lyssa Naeher; Naomi Girma, Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox (m.119, Kelley Ohara); Lindsey Horan, Emily Sonnet (m.119, Kristie Mewis) Andi Sullivan; Trinity Rodman (m.65, Williams), Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan (m.98 Megan Raphinoe).
Penalties: 0-1: Sullivan, goal. 1-1: Rolfo, goal. 1-2: Horan, goal. 2-2: Rubensson, goal. 2-3: Mewis, goal. 2-3: Bjorn, ruling. 2-3: Rapinoe, failure. 2:3: Blomqvist, failure. 2:3: Smith, loss. 3-3: Bennison, ruling. 3-4: Naeher, goal. 4-4: Eriksson, goal. 4-4: O’Hara, pole. 5-4: Hurtig, goal.
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (FRA). On the Swedish side, he admonished Asllani (min.49).
Incidents: match corresponding to the knockout stages of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand held at the Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne.
