Sweden knock USA OUT of the World Cup whereas Netherlands progress
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weden beat the United States 5-4 on penalties to knock the defending champions out of the Women’s World Cup after the groups had been locked at 0-0 on the finish of additional time on Sunday.
In a madcap shootout, Lina Hurtig struck the successful spot-kick, although U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher parried the ball on the road and the consequence wanted to be confirmed by VAR.
Sophia Smith had had the prospect to win the match for the four-times champion Americans however blasted the ball over the bar.
Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic emerged because the hero, having stored the Scandinavians within the match, making 11 saves earlier than the shootout to disclaim the Americans.
Often starved of possession, the Swedes didn’t have a shot on purpose till the eighty fifth minute when substitute Sofia Jakobsson danced into the world, solely to shoot straight at keeper Alyssa Naeher.
The talismanic Megan Rapinoe got here off the bench to interchange ahead Alex Morgan within the ninth minute of additional time however was unable to create a winner for the Americans.
Renowned for having a dead-eye as a penalty shooter, Rapinoe struck the fourth kick for the U.S. over the bar after Sweden’s Nathalie Bjorn had additionally blasted over.
Naeher saved Rebecka Blomqvist’s fourth shot for the Swedes however Smith’s failed effort stored the Scandinavians in it.
End an period: USA are out of the World Cup after a poor event
/ Getty ImagesAfter Naeher and Magdalena Eriksson transformed their spot-kicks, Kelley Ohara despatched her shot pinging off the fitting publish, permitting Hurtig to step up and ship the champions out of the event.
Winners of the final two World Cups in France and Canada, the U.S. slumped to their quickest exit, having made the semi-finals or higher in all eight earlier editions.
Earlier on Sunday, Netherlands beat South Africa to progress.
Additional reporting from Reuters