Decidedly, the Americans will end up not being able to see the Swedes in painting. After eliminating Team USA in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, at the penalties, Sweden inflicted a rouste (3-0) to the teammates of Megan Rapinoe, on the bench at the start of the match, at the opening of the tournament of the Tokyo Games. A defeat, not yet crippling with a view to qualifying for the quarterfinals, but which still does the job.
FINAL | Not the start we wanted but plenty of tournament to play. We go again on Saturday.
🇺🇸 0-3 🇸🇪 | # Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/dkb50GKpc1
– US Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 21, 2021
Because the Americans, with this heavy defeat, ended 44 games without defeat. Yes, yes 44. Swept away, suddenly, by Stina Blackstenius and company. The former Montpellier striker scored twice, supplemented by a final goal from Lina Hurtig. Now, for the Americans, the goal is to finish, at least, among the best third in pools. They will face New Zealand (the “weakest” team in the group) and Australia.