The United States played its best game of this Women's World Cup and it wasn't good enough to stop the two-time reigning champions from being eliminated in the round of 16.
The Americans' bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended Sunday on penalty kicks. Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelly O'Hara missed with kicks from the penalty spot before Lina Hurtig converted to clinch the shootout 5-4 on Sunday as Sweden knocked the United States out of the World Cup after a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time.
The Americans controlled the shootout until the trio of misses.
It is the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States, four-time winners of the World Cup.
“I mean, this is like a sick joke. For me personally, this is like dark comedy that I missed a penalty,” Rapinoe said as she blinked back tears. “This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game. I think it can be cruel.”
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher fruitlessly argued she had saved Hurtig's attempt, but it was ruled over the line by VAR. The stadium played Abba's “Dancing Queen” in the stadium as the Swedes celebrated and the U.S. players sobbed.
“We just lost the World Cup by a millimeter. That's tough,” said Naeher, who successfully converted her own penalty kick. “I am proud of the fight of the team. We knew we hadn't done our best in the group stage and we wanted a complete team performance and the team came out and played great.”
She praised Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had 11 saves to deny the U.S. a spot in the quarterfinals. The American's worst previous finish had been third place, three different times.
“We didn’t put anything in the back of the net,” sobbed Julie Ertz after the loss. “The penalties were tough. It’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever. It’s just tough. It obviously sucks. Penalties are the worst.”
The loss was somewhat expected based on the Americans' listless play through three group-stage matches. But they played their best game of this World Cup against Sweden, only to have it decided by penalties.
“I am proud of the women on the field," U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “I know we were criticized for the way we played, and for different moments in the group stage. I think we came out today and showed the grit, the resilience, the fight. The bravery showed we did everything we could to win the game. And, unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes.”
It was the fourth time the Americans went to extra time at the World Cup. All three previous matches went to penalties, including the 2011 final won by Japan. The U.S. won on penalties in a 2011 quarterfinal match against Brazil, and in the 1999 final at the Rose Bowl against China.
Sweden knocked the United States out of the 2016 Olympics in the quarterfinals on penalties.
Sweden goes on to the quarterfinals on Friday to play Japan, which beat Norway 3-1 on Saturday night.
Sweden has never won a major global tournament, either the World Cup or the Olympics. The closest the team has come is World Cup runner-up in 2003. They placed third in the 1999, 2011 and 2019 editions, and won silver medals in the last two Olympics.
The result ended the international career of Rapinoe, the Golden Boot winner of the 2019 tournament who is retiring after the World Cup. She had taken on a smaller role in her final tournament and was a substitute in the United States’ first and third games of group play.
She went on in extra time against Sweden and in her final game and few minutes of action, she failed to control a ball played in deep, whiffed on a rebound, hit the side of the net with a corner kick and then missed the penalty that would have put the United States on the verge of victory.
“Just devastated. It feels like a bad dream,” captain Alex Morgan said. “The team put everything out there tonight. I feel like we dominated, but it doesn’t matter. We’re going home and it’s the highs and lows of the sport of soccer. So, yeah, it doesn’t feel great.”
The Americans struggled through group play with just four goals in three matches. They were nearly eliminated last Tuesday by first-timers Portugal, but eked out a 0-0 draw to fall to second in their group for just the second time at a World Cup.
The Americans looked far better against Sweden, dominating possession and outshooting the Swedes 5-1 in the first half. Lindsey Horan’s first-half header hit the crossbar and a second-half blast was saved by goalkeeper Musovic, who had six saves in regulation.
Sweden won all three of their group games, including a 5-0 rout of Italy in its final group match. Coach Peter Gerhardsson made nine lineup changes for the match, resting his starters in anticipation of the United States.
“They will come back for sure, they have so much quality on their team,” Sweden midfielder Kosovare Asllani said of the U.S. team. “This defeat will not take them down. I expect them to be ready for the next World Cup.”
It was tense from the opening whistle.
Naeher punched the ball away from a crowded goal on an early Sweden corner kick. Three of the Swedes’ goals against Italy came on set pieces.
Trinity Rodman’s shot from distance in the 18th minute was easily caught by Musovic, who stopped another chance by Rodman in the 27th.
Horan’s header off Andi Sullivan’s corner in the 34th hit the crossbar and skipped over the goal. Horan was on target in the 53rd minute but Musovic pushed it wide. Horan crouched to the field in frustration while the Sweden keeper was swarmed by her teammates.
“I had a really good feeling before the game,” Musovic said. "Once again, I’m extremely proud of the girls. Many people out there didn’t think that (win) was possible.”
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39 Comments
Fighto!
Sport - in all its cruelty, beauty and euphoria - was on full show in the penalty shootout between Sweden and the USA Ladies. It was one for the ages. Take a bow, both teams!
The US created the chances and played the better football for most of the game - 11 shots on target to just 1 - but the remarkable Sweden keeper Musovic kept her team in the game. Some of her saves were truly world-class.
Nadeshiko Japan will no doubt be doing their homework on the amazing Swedish defense - just 1 goal conceded in 4 games - and the brilliant Musovic. Licking my lips in anticipation of Friday's match!
Tamarama
This game was really, really dull until the penalty shootout, which has to be the most bizarre PSO I've ever seen. The Melbourne crowd, which has to be one of the most cultured sporting crowds on the planet, were reduced to silence for much of the 2nd half, such was the tepid nature of the football. Sweden did not look like scoring at all, and the whilst the US were a touch more lively, some decent goalkeeping ensured they didn't score.
Neither of these teams would have troubled Japan in the next round, who are clearly a class above, but with Sweden getting through their job looks that much easier.
I notice a LOT of negativity directed towards Megan Rapinoe in the BBC comments post match - clearly not a popular athlete.
Japan will be extremely encouraged by the match, and the result.
Yubaru
Well done Sweden!
Next the Samurai Japanese vs Sweden! Should be a great match!
EFD
Congratulations to Sweden. The US never played up to their expectations and that’s on them (us).
Time for a serious re-evaluation of coaching (that guy needs to go) and player representation.
Seems like a few of the members were @oast their prime”.
deanzaZZR
Just looking at the highlights but it sure looked like the USA had many more quality shots on goal. Sweden's goalkeeper saved the day for the Swedes.
Fighto!
Nadeshiko fully deserve to go in as warm favorite - I've been their biggest advocate all along. But if the sweden keeper Musovic makes saves like she did vs the US, Japan could be pushed. Best keeper by far I've seen at this WC!
Asiaman7
Terribly exciting from start to finish, in my opinion.
“USA pressured Sweden from the opening whistle and kept their foot on the gas, keeping possession and pinning Sweden back into deep areas. Trinity Rodman had her best game of the tournament, combining with the midfield and forcing the Sweden goalkeeper Zećira Musovic into several first-half saves. Musovic made 11 saves in total during the match, several of them sensational, to thwart a USA attack that finally had some life.” — The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/06/uswnt-womens-world-cup-2023-sweden-defeat-analysis-soccer
TokyoLiving
LOL!!..
Go Nadeshiko!!..
bass4funk
Good on Sweden. It was a great game. And this loss is great for the US, with all the condemnation coming the teams way, them injecting social politics into the sport, not singing the national anthem, Rapinoe demoralized and poisoned what was once a great team.
The entire organization needs to be purged and start with a clean slate. Select players and coaches based on skills not ideology. Focus on improving team skills versus improving influencing. This team has been set back several years because of a handful of players that spent more time on politics versus playing their top game. Sad but I lost interest in the USWNT when Rapinoe started pressuring her influence and changing the dynamics. You could see it with their play on the field. They only played like it was secondary to their own political causes. Ive enjoyed watching the remaining cup teams because they seem to play with national pride for their countries.
Algernon LaCroix
So, bass says they should focus on soccer not politics, and a couple of you immediately conflate it with supporting MAGA! That's quite and own-goal.
Bob Fosse
I came here to see if anyone was blaming the US team loss on being ‘woke’.
If course they did, but these people blame ‘woke’ furniture when they stub their toe.
US lost because Sweden played better. That’s it.
bass4funk
Yes
What?
They did play better but that’s not just it, at the same time, a huge block of the US population thought it was a good thing. When your National team doesn’t get a lot of support from your home nation and the news headlines mocks you, condemns you for being political rather than doing your job as an athlete, that’s on you. So many people were praying the US team losses, I as well, they need to be taken down, embarrassed and hopefully with the much anticipated departure of Rapinoe they bring in new blood, regroup and come back better, more focused without the politics. So I’m happy.
Cards fan
lol Ah yes, "politics" is the reason they lost. I guess it was also the reason they won the last two world cups as well?
Set aside the silly politics for a moment, and just understand: Sweden bested the US. As a yank, it's unfortunate, but congrats, Sweden, none-the-less.
Bob Fosse
If they had won you would be singing a different tune. The only person in this thread blaming politics is you. Keep politics out of it Bass. Sweden played better.
lostrune2
The US is just too young for this tournament (half the team are making World Cup debuts). They didn't understand how to start raring to go from the very first game, then ramp up it as the tournament goes along. Instead, they putz around in the group stage, and didn't develop the killer instinct to score goals despite having the 2nd highest most shots. Should be a learning lesson for the youngsters to take it seriously from the start
How do ya explain them winning the World Cup 2 straight times when Rapinoe was in it - the last one when she was team captain? Can't be greater than a World Cup-winning team
(The team of the 1990s was the US, but the team of the 2000s was Germany, then the team of the 2010s was the US again. Do ya wanna go back more than 2 decades ago to the 90s team?)
No, the US played better but didn't score. PKs are a crapshoot. That's football
(Incidentally, PKs are also considered a draw in the stats sheet, so technically they're still unbeaten since 2011)
GBR48
Watched the first half. The US have been below par and were again, but were showing signs of life. Sweden were also poor, repeatedly making a hash of the basics. One of the Swedish women got an elbow in the face just before half time. Not so much as a card, so I turned it off. Checked back and was surprised it had gone to extra time. The shoot out was certainly dramatic. I don't think I've seen a VAR decision on a penalty before. The graphic is machine generated and gave the ball as about 1mm behind the line. Sweden are usually better than that, but if they don't rediscover their old form, Japan should be fine.
Sven Asai
It’s not about being better, more skilled, more experienced, higher in ranking and all such. The only thing to care about (besides of the general and fairness rules) is to score at least one more goal than the opponent. And they had one less. That’s all to that match.
bass4funk
No, because of them injecting social politics into the sport, don’t need it don’t want it and the majority Americans don’t want it.
socrateos
I thought US was in the form we used to know - dominating - during the game unlike any of their previous games in this world cup. But at the end of the day, it turned out that it was not so, failing to finish every possesion and chance they had. They have lost something important.
Sweden's defence was incredibe, particularly their goal keeper! I think that going for penality was their plan.
Congraturations, Sweden!
CaptDingleheimer
I'm glad the biggest jerk on the pitch made them lose.
bass4funk
I agree
wallace
The US has been a great team and twice world champions and that is the game of football.
WA4TKG
Was quite happy to see them lose, as previously stated, due to the trash attitude of certain individuals, they got what was coming to them. Congratulations Sweden .
kochikame
U.S. barely advanced to the Knock out stage...so, I was expecting Sweden to win this match. No surprise at all.
wallace
American are not big supporters of soccer/football even with the men's team and the club games.
https://www.shu.edu/news/poll-on-women-s-sports-show-us-more-we-ll-watch-more.html
browny1
Few games in the world can be played and lost by the strongly dominant team, but that's soccer.
The US looked as powerful as any team I've seen in the tournament to date - I haven't seen all of course.
21 - 8 shots at goal: 12 - 1 on target : 13 - 5 from inside the penalty area.
Insane saves by Musovic. Compared to the Norwegian goalie in Japan's win the other day, Musovics performance was like super pro to amateur.
Haven't seen England play, but the remaining teams are lucky they don't have to meet the US.
Sweden will have it's match up against a skillful Japan and wouldn't want to rest on it's laurels as the giant killers, because that would bring them back to the reality really quickly.
bass4funk
But it is growing, it won’t overtake Football, Basketball or Baseball.
wallace
Even the greatest of footballers miss penalties.
Fighto!
Hats off to the phenomenal Megan Rapinoe on an unprecedented, 17 year international career. 200 plus games, 2 WC trophies and an Olympic Gold! Her feats will almost certainly never be topped.
Take a bow.
wallace
Fighto!
finally rich
That blue haired rapiweird was never interested in playing soccer as a team member anyway....
That "I deserve that" moment tells everything you need to know about that narcissist.
Sad for the other players though.
wallace
bass4funk
"The United States has been the most dominant team at the Women's World Cup, winning four titles in the first eight editions of the tournament (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019). The USWNT has reached at least the semifinals in all eight women's World Cups and has never finished below third place."
How angry you must have been.
finally rich
After losing the World Cup today, Megan Rapinoe was asked what her favorite memory of playing for US soccer was.
Her response was "equal pay".
sunfunbun
USA played the 4-2-3-1 and double nine. Midfield and backs were very good and they spread the field, much better than the group stage. Sonnett surprisingly good, all over the field.
They outplayed Sweden, but couldn't find the net. It happens. Same with PK misses.
All this negative talk of Pino is trash. Complete and total trash. It comes from misogyny and their own narrative POV rather than understanding the game and Pino, with an open mind. But it's the status quo from certain commenters.
She not only helped football in America, but the world, in her stand for women, to improve the game. Truly a great icon, one of the best to ever play women's football.
Tough loss, and young players need to step it up, especially the forwards who showed skill but also lacking the mental part of strategy/execution along with what seemed a lack of mental tenacity. But they're young and with different coaching, can still quite possibly be effectively great in the future.
Girma was excellent throughout the WC. Most consistent player on team USA as a youngster and great future leader.
Jind
The best USA played but not enough.
Lacking a prolific striker was the downfall.
Morgan, a Cal Bear is aging and not younger.
Other countries have progressed and will get better as time passes.
finally rich
JT could have used weeping Rapinoe's picture for this article, she had been the key athlete in the team for all these years, and the one ending her career with a missed penalty kick that costed US the World Cup.
She must be very furious and disappointed with herself right now.
sunfunbun
Um, football works this way. The best team on the pitch loses, at times, and for all the talk USA forward failed, which they did, so did Sweden's, if that is the train of thought. The penalties are a crap shoot. Always has been, always will be. Either team can win those things...
When teams play a good match like this one, many fail to recognize just how well both sides played. It was the best played match in this WC, so far, imo, from both sides. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sweden go on and raise the Cup.
Jimizo
You could predict with certainty who’d be happy about this result, and they aren’t Swedish.
Wish there were odds available. We could have cleaned up.
Well done Sweden. Edged a tight game between two very good sides.
Speed
Women's soccer doesn't deserve nearly the same pay as men's soccer. Period. The level, speed, and excitement is on a completely different scale. Rapinoe was a detriment to soccer.