The USA was eradicated from the 2023 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup on Sunday, after Sweden pulled off a surprising upset in penalty kicks to ship the event’s odds-on favorites house.
Whereas the U.S. had uncharacteristically struggled within the opening group stage, they got here out of the beginning gate robust of their first knockout recreation. The People had the benefit all through the match in time of possession, in response to the official FIFA recreation log. In addition they dominated scoring possibilities, beating the Swedes in makes an attempt on aim 21 to seven.
Nevertheless, the U.S. confronted a formidable wall in Swedish goalkeeper Zećira Mušović, who saved the People on their toes time and time once more. Regardless of a flurry of possibilities, the U.S. was unable to get something previous Mušović. The Swedes, although, had been likewise unable to get the ball previous American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, and the sport went into penalty kicks following a scoreless match.
In penalty kicks, the sport remained deadlocked because it has been, with Sweden and the U.S. finally coming even at 4-4. Sweden then had the possibility to win, and Lina Hurtig’s strike gave the impression to be stopped on the aim line by Naeher. However after a assessment, it was clear the ball had entered the online, handing Sweden the win and sending them to the following spherical towards Japan.
The U.S. had been the clear favorites to win the complete event, and had been seeking to declare their third World Cup in a row. As an alternative, Sunday’s elimination marks the crew’s earliest-ever exit from the competitors.
“I’m pleased with the ladies on the sector,” U.S. Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski stated after the sport, per ESPN. I feel we got here out right this moment and confirmed the grit, the resilience, the struggle. The bravery confirmed we did all the things we may to win the sport. Sadly, soccer might be merciless generally.”