Soccer World Cup 2023
After a dramatic penalty shoot-out: defending champions USA are eliminated by Sweden
The Swedes celebrate – they kicked the superior women’s team of the USA out of the World Cup
© Robert Cianflone / Getty Images
The USA are clearly superior to Sweden in the World Cup Round of 16. The game still goes into overtime – and the decision becomes a drama.
Defending champion USA is at the The Women’s World Cup was eliminated surprisingly early and dramatically. The US selection lost 4: 5 (0: 0, 0: 0) on penalties against Sweden in Melbourne on Sunday evening (local time) despite a clear superiority.
In front of 27,706 spectators in Melbourne, the four-time world champion was clearly superior, but was unable to take advantage of the multitude of opportunities. In the decision of the point, star player Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O’Hara forgave. The decisive Swedish goal by Lina Hurtig was still being checked, the ball was only just behind the line. The Americans had never finished worse than third at a World Cup. Sweden now meets Japan.
The World Cup ends in the round of 16 for the USA
From the start it was a gripping game with clear advantages for the defending champion. Midfielder Smith was denied by Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic in the 54th minute. Coach Vlatko Andonovski’s US side were pushing for the opening goal at this stage, and Lindsey Horan’s shot went just wide (57′). The Swedes got their first good chance late, Sofia Jakobsson failed in the 85th minute. Musovic saved on the other side of the field a little later against Alex Morgan (89th).
Sweden also struggled to keep the US team away from their own goal in extra time. However, the world champion team remained inefficient in the end. The decision therefore had to be made on penalties – and it turned out to be dramatic.
Sweden had already qualified for the round of 16 after just two games in the group stage. The USA, on the other hand, had to tremble in their group until the final whistle of the last preliminary round game. A goalless draw against Portugal was just enough to qualify for the knockout rounds.