MELBOURNE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) — The United States’ hopes of a 3rd consecutive Women’s World Cup title have been dashed as they dominated their spherical of 16 tie towards Sweden, however have been dramatically defeated 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
The defending champions churned out 21 makes an attempt all through the sport, however Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic made 11 saves to maintain the scoreline down and drag the sport right into a shootout.
With the scores locked at 3-3 after 5 penalties every, the shootout progressed into sudden dying, with U.S. defender Kelley Ohara hitting the publish along with her effort.
Sweden’s Lina Hurtig thus had the possibility to attain the successful penalty, however U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher appeared to have saved her effort.
However, a VAR overview confirmed that the ball had fully crossed the road, prompting wild celebrations within the Sweden camp.
The U.S. got here into the match having risked an early elimination, as solely the publish ensured they progressed to the final 16 in a 0-0 draw towards Portugal. Emily Sonnett stepped into the midfield for suspended Rose Lavelle, and Trinity Rodman additionally returned to the beginning line-up.
The U.S. began higher than they’d towards the Netherlands and Portugal, dominating the primary half as Sweden hardly put collectively a run of play.
Rodman sprinted down the best and noticed her effort denied by Musovic within the 18th minute, earlier than the goalkeeper was alert to palm away Lindsey Horan’s towering header.
The defending champions stored the stress on as Musovic was known as into motion once more to punch away Horan’s first-time strike.
Musovic performed heroics within the 89th minute by denying Alex Morgan’s header and smothered one other Morgan strike in harm time.
Sweden will now face Japan within the quarterfinals, whereas the U.S.’s elimination means that is the primary time in Women’s World Cup historical past that the Stars and Stripes is not going to end among the many event’s high three groups.