After a long, nail-biting game between USA and Sweden which resulted in a penalty shootout, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) lost and has been eliminated from the World Cup. Sweden has advanced to their second game in the knockout round, and will play Spain on August 11.
Photo 1, Caption: World Cup Veteran Megan Rapinoe stunned over the USWNT’s loss against Sweden, Lindsey Horan and Sophia Smith embrace over the early knockout in their first World Cup.
USA struggled to get past Sweden’s defense, proving in the first 15 minutes that this game was going to be tough. With a new starting formation and change up in the starting 11, the first half was the best game play we’ve seen by the U.S. this World Cup. Trinity Rodman, who arguably should have been starting the entire tournament, started in place of Lynn Williams. Emily Sonnett also started as a default for Rose Lavell who was unable to play in the match due to card accumulation. Sonnett quickly became a necessity in midfield, consistently defending Sweden from attacking the net.
With 21 total shots on goal, 11 on target, the U.S. was unable to penetrate Sweden’s defense. After a goalless 120 minutes, the game was brought into overtime for another 30 minutes of gut-wrenching gameplay resulting in another 0-0 score. To decide who was to be knocked out, the teams competed in a penalty kick (PK) shootout. Each team kicks five times, and whichever team has the most goals in those five turns is the winner. The first round of PKs resulted in another tie of 3-3. The teams continued shooting.
USA’s goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was able to bury one in the center of the net, the first goalkeeper ever to kick in a shootout during the World Cup. However, her beautiful shot was not enough as Sweden matched them at 4-4. Megan Rapinoe, one of USA’s best penalty kickers missed her shot with a devastating shank over the net, providing Sweden the chance to win it all. Lina Hurtig, of Sweden, stepped up to the ball and shot towards the lower left corner of the net. Naeher initially saved the ball with her fingertips, sending it upward and crossing the goal line by millimeters. Difficult to see with the naked eye, the game’s result was determined by VAR (Video Assistant Referee).
Photo 2 and 3, Caption: Alyssa Naeher attempting to save Lina Hurtig’s winning penalty kick. The goal was determined by VAR, announcing the ball was over the goal line by millimeters.
This loss is tragically familiar being the second time the USA has been ousted from a tournament before the Semifinals. The first time was during the 2016 Olympics, when Sweden beat the USA in penalty kicks.
It is extremely disappointing for the USA to be knocked out, especially so early in the tournament as two-time defending champions. However, USWNT’s struggles in this world cup is a testament to the advancement of women’s soccer teams around the world. It truly is amazing to see global teams gaining the funding and resources for consistent training and advancement, creating the most competitive and watched Women’s FIFA World Cup since its start in 1991.
