MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The United States played its finest game of this Women’s Entire world Cup and it was not superior plenty of to end the two-time reigning champions from remaining removed in the round of 16.
The Americans’ bid to acquire an unparalleled 3rd consecutive title ended Sunday on penalty kicks. Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelly O’Hara missed with kicks from the penalty spot in advance of Lina Hurtig transformed to clinch the shootout 5-4 as Sweden knocked the United States out of the Earth Cup following a scoreless draw in regulation and further time.
The Us citizens controlled the shootout until eventually the trio of misses.
It is the earliest exit in match background for the United States, four-time winners of the Entire world Cup.
“I signify, this is like a sick joke. For me individually, this is like dark comedy that I skipped a penalty,” Rapinoe mentioned as she blinked back again tears. “This is the balance to the wonderful side of the match. I imagine it can be cruel.”
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher fruitlessly argued she had saved Hurtig’s attempt, but it was ruled more than the line by VAR. The stadium performed Abba’s “Dancing Queen” in the stadium as the Swedes celebrated and the U.S. gamers sobbed.
“We just dropped the Environment Cup by a millimeter. That is challenging,” claimed Naeher, who properly transformed her very own penalty kick. “I am proud of the struggle of the crew. We knew we hadn’t done our greatest in the team stage and we wished a entire team overall performance and the team arrived out and performed wonderful.”
She praised Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had 11 saves to deny the U.S. a spot in the quarterfinals. The American’s worst past end had been 3rd area, a few unique times.
“We did not put something in the back again of the internet,” sobbed Julie Ertz just after the decline. “The penalties were challenging. It is just psychological simply because it’s likely my very last game at any time. It’s just rough. It definitely sucks. Penalties are the worst.”
The reduction was considerably envisioned dependent on the Americans’ listless play by way of a few team-phase matches. But they performed their ideal recreation of this Globe Cup from Sweden, only to have it decided by penalties.
“I am happy of the women on the area,” U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski claimed. “I know we were being criticized for the way we performed, and for various moments in the team stage. I consider we arrived out these days and confirmed the grit, the resilience, the fight. The bravery confirmed we did all the things we could to earn the activity. And, however, soccer can be cruel sometimes.”
It was the fourth time the Us residents went to added time at the Environment Cup. All 3 earlier matches went to penalties, together with the 2011 final won by Japan. The U.S. won on penalties in a 2011 quarterfinal match towards Brazil, and in the 1999 remaining 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 to enjoy Japan, which defeat Norway 3-1 on Saturday night.
Sweden has in no way gained a important worldwide match, both the Environment Cup or the Olympics. The closest the crew has arrive is Earth Cup runner-up in 2003. They positioned 3rd in the 1999, 2011 and 2019 editions, and received silver medals in the final two Olympics.
The final result finished the worldwide vocation of Rapinoe, the Golden Boot winner of the 2019 match who is retiring following the World Cup. She experienced taken on a scaled-down role in her last tournament and was a substitute in the United States’ initial and third game titles of team enjoy.
She went on in extra time against Sweden and in her remaining recreation and several minutes of action, she unsuccessful to control a ball played in deep, whiffed on a rebound, strike the aspect of the web with a corner kick and then skipped the penalty that would have put the United States on the verge of victory.
“Just devastated. It feels like a terrible dream,” captain Alex Morgan stated. “The workforce set all the things out there tonight. I experience like we dominated, but it doesn’t make a difference. We’re likely residence and it is the highs and lows of the sport of soccer. So, yeah, it doesn’t really feel wonderful.”
The People in america struggled by group engage in with just four plans in three matches. They were approximately eliminated very last Tuesday by first-timers Portugal, but eked out a – draw to fall to 2nd in their group for just the next time at a Planet Cup.
The Americans seemed much improved against Sweden, dominating possession and outshooting the Swedes 5-1 in the initial 50 percent. Lindsey Horan’s initial-fifty percent header strike the crossbar and a second-fifty percent blast was saved by goalkeeper Musovic, who had six will save in regulation.
Sweden received all a few of their team game titles, including a 5- rout of Italy in its ultimate group match. Coach Peter Gerhardsson manufactured nine lineup improvements for the match, resting his starters in anticipation of the United States.
“They will appear back again for certain, they have so considerably good quality on their staff,” Sweden midfielder Kosovare Asllani mentioned of the U.S. workforce. “This defeat will not choose them down. I be expecting them to be ready for the next Earth Cup.”
It was tense from the opening whistle.
Naeher punched the ball away from a crowded aim on an early Sweden corner kick. Three of the Swedes’ ambitions from Italy arrived on established items.
Trinity Rodman’s shot from distance in the 18th minute was conveniently caught by Musovic, who stopped one more probability by Rodman in the 27th.
Horan’s header off Andi Sullivan’s corner in the 34th strike the crossbar and skipped about the target. Horan was on goal in the 53rd minute but Musovic pushed it extensive. Horan crouched to the industry in aggravation while the Sweden keeper was swarmed by her teammates.
“I experienced a really superior emotion just before the activity,” Musovic said. “Once once again, I’m incredibly happy of the ladies. Several persons out there didn’t imagine that (earn) was probable.”
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