The U.S. women’s national team’s bid for a third consecutive World Cup title came to an end in the Round of 16, as they were defeated by Sweden 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
Despite dominating the match with 22 shots to Sweden’s 9, including an 11-1 advantage in shots on target, the game ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time. The USWNT managed just four goals throughout their four World Cup matches.
Crucial misses from Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith, and Kelley O’Hara in the penalty shootout resulted in the U.S.’s earliest World Cup exit in history. Previously, they had reached at least the semifinals in all eight of their World Cup appearances, winning four titles.
Final Score: Sweden 0, USWNT 0 (Sweden advances 5-4 on penalties)
The U.S. held a 3-2 lead in the penalty shootout, but consecutive misses by Rapinoe and Smith opened the door for Sweden. In the final round, O’Hara’s shot hit the post, allowing Lina Hurtig to score the decisive penalty for Sweden. Although USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher got a hand on Hurtig’s shot and tried to clear it, the ball was confirmed to have crossed the line after a video review.
Penalty Shootout Recap:
- Round 1: Andi Sullivan (USWNT) – SCORE, Fridolina Rolfö (Sweden) – SCORE
- Round 2: Lindsey Horan (USWNT) – SCORE, Elin Rubensson (Sweden) – SCORE
- Round 3: Kristie Mewis (USWNT) – SCORE, Nathalie Björn (Sweden) – MISS
- Round 4: Megan Rapinoe (USWNT) – MISS, Rebecka Blomqvist (Sweden) – MISS
- Round 5: Sophia Smith (USWNT) – MISS, Hanna Bennison (Sweden) – SCORE
- Round 6: Alyssa Naeher (USWNT) – SCORE, Magdalena Eriksson (Sweden) – SCORE
- Round 7: Kelley O’Hara (USWNT) – MISS, Lina Hurtig (Sweden) – SCORE
End of Extra Time: USWNT 0, Sweden 0
The match proceeded to penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play ended without a goal. Just Women’s Sports analyst Claire Watkins commented that the outcome would likely not alter the ongoing conversation about the U.S. team’s performance.
Key Moments:
- 120′: Kelley O’Hara and Kristie Mewis substituted in for the penalty shootout.
- 107′: Sophia Smith’s shot was saved by Sweden’s goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had an outstanding game.
- 99′: Megan Rapinoe replaced Alex Morgan in a strategic substitution.
- 89′: Alex Morgan’s header was saved spectacularly by Musovic.
- 66′: Lynn Williams replaced an ailing Trinity Rodman.
- 54′: Lindsey Horan’s powerful shot was blocked by Musovic, who thwarted multiple U.S. attempts.
First Half Recap: The USWNT controlled the first half, outshooting Sweden 6-2 and maintaining 62% possession, though they couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. Trinity Rodman was particularly active, testing Sweden’s defense early on.
Lineups:
- USWNT: Alyssa Naeher, Emily Fox, Julie Ertz, Naomi Girma, Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, Andi Sullivan, Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Alex Morgan.
- Sweden: Zecira Musovic, Nathalie Björn, Amanda Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson, Filippa Angeldal, Elin Rubensson, Johanna Kaneryd, Kosovare Asllani, Fridolina Rolfö, Stina Blackstenius.
Sweden’s defense, led by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, proved resilient throughout the match, ultimately sending the USWNT home earlier than ever before.
Heartbreak for USWNT: Sweden Ends World Cup Dream in Penalty Drama
This headline captures the emotional impact of the USWNT’s defeat. The word “heartbreak” emphasizes the disappointment and sorrow felt by the team and its fans, while “penalty drama” highlights the intense and suspenseful nature of the penalty shootout that ultimately decided the match.
USWNT’s Historic World Cup Run Halted by Sweden in Penalties
This headline reflects the significance of the USWNT’s early exit, marking the end of their historic run in the World Cup, where they had previously reached at least the semifinals in every tournament. The phrase “halted by Sweden in penalties” directly points to the penalty shootout as the turning point in this unexpected outcome.
Penalty Woes Seal USW NT’s Early World Cup Exit Against Sweden
This headline focuses on the USWNT’s struggles during the penalty shootout, which led to their early exit from the World Cup. “Penalty woes” suggests that missed opportunities in the shootout were crucial to their defeat, emphasizing the importance of those key moments.
Sweden Knocks Out USWNT in Dramatic Round of 16 Shootout
This headline emphasizes Sweden’s role in eliminating the USWNT and underscores the drama of the penalty shootout. The word “knocks out” conveys the decisive nature of Sweden’s victory, while “dramatic” hints at the intensity and emotion surrounding the match.
USWNT’s World Cup Journey Cut Short by Sweden in Nail-Biting Finish
This headline highlights the abrupt end to the USWNT’s World Cup campaign, with “cut short” indicating their earlier-than-expected exit. “Nail-biting finish” suggests that the match was intensely close and suspenseful, keeping fans on edge until the very end with the penalty shootout deciding the outcome.
Frequently Asked Question
What was the final score of the match?
The match ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time. Sweden advanced by winning 5-4 in the penalty shootout.
How did the penalty shootout unfold?
The shootout was intense, with both teams converting their initial penalties. The USWNT took a 3-2 lead, but missed penalties from Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith, and Kelley O’Hara allowing Sweden to come back and win 5-4, with Lina Hurtig scoring the decisive penalty.
How dominant was the USWNT during the match?
The USWNT was the more dominant side in terms of offensive pressure, outshooting Sweden 22-9 overall and 11-1 in shots on target. Despite this, they were unable to break the deadlock, leading to the match being decided by penalties.
What led to the USWNT’s early exit from the World Cup?
The USWNT’s inability to convert their dominance into goals, coupled with missed penalties during the shootout, led to their earliest World Cup exit in history. They struggled with finishing throughout the tournament, scoring only four goals in four matches.
Who were the key players in the match?
For the USWNT, Alyssa Naeher played a crucial role by making several key saves and even scoring in the penalty shootout. For Sweden, goalkeeper Zecira Musovic was outstanding, making numerous critical saves to keep her team in the match.
What does this loss mean for the USWNT’s World Cup legacy?
This loss marks the first time in World Cup history that the USWNT has been eliminated before the semifinals. It’s a significant moment as it ends their historic run of success in the tournament, having previously won four titles and never finishing lower than third.
Conclusion
The USWNT’s elimination from the World Cup at the hands of Sweden in a dramatic penalty shootout marks a significant and surprising end to their campaign. Despite their dominance in the match and rich history of success in the tournament, they struggled to convert their chances into goals and ultimately fell short in the penalty shootout. This early exit is a historic moment for the team, as it ends their streak of reaching at least the semifinals in every previous World Cup. The result leaves fans and analysts reflecting on the missed opportunities and the challenges the team faced throughout the tournament. As the USWNT looks ahead, this match will serve as a pivotal point in their journey, prompting introspection and potential changes as they prepare for future competitions.