Women's World Cup: Sweden shock USA

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 Sweden 0 - 0 USA (Sweden won 5-4 on penalties)

USA are out of the Women's World Cup as they were stunned by Sweden on penalties in Melbourne.

You can watch the highlights of the match in the YouTube video below. Highlights: Sweden knock USA out after penalty shootout | Fifa Women's World Cup 2023 - YouTube

The USA side dominated two hours of football but they were denied by a fantastic and inspired goalkeeping performance from Zecira Musovic as the match finished 0-0.

The drama only increased in the shootout. Three USA players missed, including their footballing icon Megan Rapinoe on her last appearance on the world stage, before Sweden won in remarkable circumstances.

USA keeper Alyssa Naeher appeared to have saved Lina Hurtig's effort at the second attempt, having pushed the initial effort up before clawing it out.

After checking and consulting with VAR, referee Stephanie Frappart awarded the goal and sparked wild Sweden celebrations.

USA manager Vlatko Andonovski was not convinced the ball had crossed the line, despite technology confirming the goal.

Sweden were indebted to Musovic, who made 11 saves in a game where the USA looked more like the team which won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 than the one which marginally progressed the group stage.

To find more news from the Women's World Cup, click here.

But they could not score. In the resulting shootout Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O'Hara all missed, Rapinoe with what is her final action at a World Cup. She announced she will retire at the end of the year.

Amazingly, this condemns the USA to their worst performance at the tournament. They had never previously failed to make it to the semi-finals.

The very best reaction

Sweden captain Magdalena Eriksson told the media: "We're so happy right now. I don't know how we managed to stay in this game. We didn't play our best game, but in some way we showed we're hard-headed, we showed heart, and we never give up. We took it to extra time, we took it to penalties and we managed to win."

Someone messaged us this interesting statistic on Facebook. Lucy Thompson told us: "The World Cup Final is now only a fortnight away and from the teams remaining only one Japan has lifted the trophy before, and other than them only Netherlands and Sweden have reached the Final. You'd have to say that the competition could be won by any of the teams that are left in it. "

Chloe Jones lives in the United Kingdom but has always been a keen follower of women's football in the United States. She spoke about how the future could develop for them: "They are in transition and have so many young players coming through. For the US, it's always going to be about winning. When they don't manage that, questions will be asked. I think they'll be ready for the next World Cup."

Janey, another United States fan, added: " I am extremely proud of all the players who stepped up to take a penalty. I'm very proud of my team. The younger players are ready to take over now. I can't wait."

More Women's World Cup stories

England won their group and qualified for the last 16 of the Women's World Cup as Lauren James delivered a sensational performance against China Read more: England thrash China

Six minutes into her first World Cup start against Denmark, Lauren James announced herself on the global stage with an amazing strike from the edge of the box. England narrowly beat Denmark 

Spain and Switzerland started their competition with a narrow win. Spain and Switzerland start with a win 

Before this competition, we published this preview of the competition. Women's World Cup: Preview 

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