US loses to Sweden on penalty kicks in earliest Girls’s World Cup exit ever

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The US missed three penalty kicks earlier than VAR dominated Sweden’s game-winning penalty kick barely crossed the road.

Sweden’s workforce have a good time after defeating the US in a penalty shootout of their Girls’s World Cup spherical of 16 soccer match in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (AP Picture/Hamish Blair) AP

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Lina Hurtig’s transformed her penalty and Sweden knocked the US out of the World Cup 5-4 on penalties after a scoreless draw on the Girls’s World Cup.

U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher fruitlessly argued she had saved Hurtig’s try, however it was dominated over the road. The stadium performed Abba’s “Dancing Queen” within the stadium because the Swedes celebrated.

The US, which has a file 4 World Cup titles general and was making an attempt to win an unprecedented third consecutive tile, was eradicated within the Spherical of 16 for the primary time in workforce historical past.

The People’ worst end had been third place, thrice.

“I’m happy with the ladies on the sector,” mentioned U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski. “I do know we have been criticized for the best way we performed, and for various moments within the group stage. I feel we got here out right now and confirmed the grit, the resilience, the battle. The bravery confirmed we did the whole lot we may to win the sport. And, sadly, soccer may be merciless typically.”

It was the primary match at this World Cup to go to additional time.

Two-time World Cup participant Julie Ertz was in tears after the match.

“We didn’t put something at the back of the web,” she sobbed. “The penalties was powerful as nicely. It’s simply emotional as a result of it’s in all probability my final recreation ever. It’s simply powerful. It’s an emotional time. It clearly sucks. Penalties are the worst.”

It was the was the fourth time a U.S. match on the World Cup went to additional time. The entire three earlier matches went to penalties, together with the 2011 ultimate received by Japan. The U.S. received on penalties in a 2011 quarterfinal match in opposition to Brazil, and within the 1999 ultimate on the ultimate on the Rose Bowl in opposition to China.

Sweden knocked the US out of the 2016 Olympics within the quarterfinals on penalties.

Sweden goes on to the quarterfinals to play Japan, the 2011 World Cup winner, which defeated Norway 3-1 on Saturday evening.

Sweden has by no means received a significant worldwide match, both the World Cup or the Olympics. The closest the workforce has come is World Cup runner-up in 2003. They completed in third within the 1999, 2011 and 2019 editions, and received silver medals within the final two Olympics.

The People struggled via group play with simply 4 targets in three matches. They have been practically eradicated final Tuesday by first-timers Portugal, however eked out a 0-0 draw to fall to second of their group for simply the second time at a World Cup.

The People seemed much better in opposition to Sweden, dominating possession and outshooting the Swedes 5-1 within the first half alone. Lindsey Horan’s first-half header hit the crossbar and a second-half blast was saved by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had six saves in regulation.

Sweden received all three of their group video games, together with a 5-0 rout of Italy in its ultimate group match. Coach Peter Gerhardsson made 9 lineup adjustments for the match, resting his starters in anticipation of the US.

It was tense from the opening whistle.

Naeher punched the ball away from a crowded purpose on an early Sweden nook kick. Three of the Swedes’ targets in opposition to Italy got here on set items.

Trinity Rodman’s shot from distance within the 18th minute was simply caught by Musovic, who stopped one other probability by Rodman within the twenty seventh.

Horan’s header off Andi Sullivan’s nook within the thirty fourth hit the crossbar and passed over the purpose. Horan was on track within the 53rd minute however Musovic dove to push it broad. Horan crouched to the sector in frustration whereas Musovic was swarmed by her teammates.

The US was with out Rose Lavelle, who picked up her second yellow card of the match within the group stage finale in opposition to Portugal and has to take a seat out in opposition to Sweden.

In Lavelle’s absence, Andonovski began Emily Sonnett, who was making her first begin for the workforce since 2022. The addition of Sonnett allowed Horan to maneuver up larger within the midfield.

Sweden pressed within the ultimate 10 minutes of regulation. Sofia Jakobsson, who got here in instead within the 81st minute, practically scored within the eighty fifth however Naeher managed to catch it for her first save of the match.

Neither Caroline Seger of Megan Rapinoe began the match, however Rapinoe got here in as a sub for Alex Morgan within the first additional time interval.

Seger, whose 235 appearances for Sweden are essentially the most for any lady in Europe, was on the bench to begin the match. The 38-year-old has been combating a calf downside all 12 months and educated alone within the two days of apply main into the showdown with the U.S.

Rapinoe, additionally 38, beforehand introduced that this is able to be her final World Cup. She has taken on a smaller position for the People in her ultimate match. She was a substitute in the US’ first and third video games of group play and didn’t get off the bench within the center match. She made her two hundredth look for the nationwide workforce on the World Cup.