Canberra [Australia], August 6 (ANI): The defending champions USA suffered their earliest exit from the FIFA Women’s World Cup, dropping by 5-4 on penalties towards Sweden on Sunday of their spherical of 16 conflict that originally led to a goalless stalemate of 120 minutes, ending their desires of finishing a hat-trick of World Cups.
During these 120 minutes, the USA was denied a remaining eight spot by the greatness of Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.
The conflict was a heavyweight occasion that was not anticipated. Sweden had an ideal group stage whereas USA had an detached preliminary stage of the event, ending at second place with a win and two attracts.
During these 120 minutes of gameplay, Sweden managed to register only one shot heading in the right direction, whereas the USA struggled to place the ball previous Musovic, who made some sensational saves to take the sport to penalties.
Andi Sullivan made it 1-0 for the USA. But Fridolina Rolfo scored an equaliser for Sweden.
USA skipper Lindsey Horan restored the lead however Elin Rubbensson made it 2-2, retaining Sweden alive.
Hopes for the USA elevated when a shot by Kristen Mewis went into the objective however Sweden’s Gun Bjorn missed her shot and it sailed over the crossbar, taking the scoreline to 3-2 in favour of the USA.
Megan Raphinoe for the USA and Rebecka Blomqivst of Sweden missed their respective subsequent penalties.
However, Sophia Smith’s miss and an ideal conversion by Hanna Bennison restored Sweden’s hopes, making the scoreline 3-3.
Alyssa Naeher took the sixth USA penalty and scored the objective, however Magdalena Errikson additionally scored to make the scores degree at 4-4.
Kelley O’Hara missed USA’s penalty, however a objective from Lina Hurtig despatched the entire Swedish camp into celebrations as they’d defeated the world champions.
Sweden will now face Japan within the quarter-finals on Friday.
Captain Horan mentioned of the penalty shootout as quoted by Sky Sports: “It is part of the game. Penalties, to be frank, they suck. I have gone through too many in my career. I am proud of every player that stepped up to take a penalty today. Score or miss, it’s courageous to take a penalty. I am proud of the team.”In the opposite spherical of 16 match, it was the Netherlands which triumphed over the South African facet by 2-0.
Jill Roord managed to attain her fourth objective within the event to offer the Netherlands an early benefit within the ninth minute. Her header despatched a crowd of hundreds of followers into cheers.
Later within the second half, due to a goalkeeping error from South Africa, Lineth Beerensteyn doubled the Dutch’s lead within the 68th minute and that proved to be the match-winning objective.
Dutch will now tackle Spain on Friday within the quarterfinals.
The 54th-ranked African champions fought exhausting of their first look within the World Cup knockout stage and have been a risk, largely by means of their striker Thembi Kgatlana.
But Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar neutralised this risk properly and the 2019 finalists progressed to the final eight for the second successive event.
“I am very happy with a good win against a tough opponent. But the part of me that wants great football is disgruntled with the first half, where we gave the ball away too much,” mentioned Netherlands coach Andries Jonker. (ANI)