By ANNE M. PETERSON (AP Sports activities Author)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — America carried out its most interesting recreation of this Ladies’s World Cup and it wasn’t sufficient to stop the two-time reigning champions from being eradicated throughout the spherical of 16.
The Individuals’ bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended Sunday on penalty kicks. Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelly O’Hara missed with kicks from the penalty spot sooner than Lina Hurtig reworked to clinch the shootout 5-4 as Sweden knocked the US out of the World Cup after a scoreless entice regulation and additional time.
The Individuals managed the shootout until the trio of misses.
It’s the earliest exit in match historic previous for the US, four-time winners of the World Cup.
“I imply, this is sort of a sick joke. For me personally, that is like darkish comedy that I missed a penalty,” Rapinoe talked about as she blinked once more tears. “That is the stability to the gorgeous facet of the sport. I believe it may be merciless.”
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher fruitlessly argued she had saved Hurtig’s strive, however it was dominated over the street by VAR. The stadium carried out Abba’s “Dancing Queen” throughout the stadium as a result of the Swedes celebrated and the U.S. avid gamers sobbed.
“We simply misplaced the World Cup by a millimeter. That’s robust,” talked about Naeher, who effectively reworked her private penalty kick. “I’m happy with the combat of the crew. We knew we hadn’t executed our greatest within the group stage and we needed a whole crew efficiency and the crew got here out and performed nice.”
She praised Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had 11 saves to deny the U.S. a spot throughout the quarterfinals. The American’s worst earlier finish had been third place, three completely completely different events.
“We didn’t put something behind the online,” sobbed Julie Ertz after the loss. “The penalties have been robust. It’s simply emotional as a result of it’s in all probability my final sport ever. It’s simply robust. It clearly sucks. Penalties are the worst.”
The loss was significantly anticipated based on the Individuals’ listless play by way of three group-stage matches. However they carried out their most interesting recreation of this World Cup in opposition to Sweden, solely to have it decided by penalties.
“I’m happy with the ladies on the sector,” U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski talked about. “I do know we have been criticized for the way in which we performed, and for various moments within the group stage. I believe we got here out at the moment and confirmed the grit, the resilience, the combat. The bravery confirmed we did every part we might to win the sport. And, sadly, soccer might be merciless generally.”
It was the fourth time the Individuals went to extra time on the World Cup. All three earlier matches went to penalties, along with the 2011 final gained by Japan. The U.S. gained on penalties in a 2011 quarterfinal match in opposition to Brazil, and throughout the 1999 final on the Rose Bowl in opposition to China.
Sweden knocked the US out of the 2016 Olympics throughout the quarterfinals on penalties.
Sweden goes on to the quarterfinals to play Japan, which beat Norway 3-1 on Saturday night time time.
Sweden has not at all gained a severe worldwide match, each the World Cup or the Olympics. The closest the workforce has come is World Cup runner-up in 2003. They positioned third throughout the 1999, 2011 and 2019 editions, and gained silver medals throughout the last two Olympics.
The result ended the worldwide career of Rapinoe, the Golden Boot winner of the 2019 match who’s retiring after the World Cup. She had taken on a smaller perform in her final match and was a substitute inside the US’ first and third video video games of group play.
She went on in extra time in opposition to Sweden and in her final recreation and jiffy of movement, she failed to control a ball carried out in deep, whiffed on a rebound, hit the aspect of the net with a nook kick after which missed the penalty that may have put the US on the verge of victory.
“Simply devastated. It seems like a foul dream,” captain Alex Morgan talked about. “The crew put every part on the market tonight. I really feel like we dominated, nevertheless it doesn’t matter. We’re going dwelling and it’s the highs and lows of the game of soccer. So, yeah, it doesn’t really feel nice.”
The Individuals struggled by way of group play with merely 4 targets in three matches. That they had been virtually eradicated last Tuesday by first-timers Portugal, nevertheless eked out a 0-0 draw to fall to second of their group for merely the second time at a World Cup.
The Individuals regarded a lot better in opposition to Sweden, dominating possession and outshooting the Swedes 5-1 throughout the first half. Lindsey Horan’s first-half header hit the crossbar and a second-half blast was saved by goalkeeper Musovic, who had six saves in regulation.
Sweden gained all three of their group video video games, along with a 5-0 rout of Italy in its final group match. Coach Peter Gerhardsson made 9 lineup modifications for the match, resting his starters in anticipation of the US.
“They are going to come again for certain, they’ve a lot high quality on their crew,” Sweden midfielder Kosovare Asllani talked about of the U.S. workforce. “This defeat won’t take them down. I anticipate them to be prepared for the following World Cup.”
It was tense from the opening whistle.
Naeher punched the ball away from a crowded goal on an early Sweden nook kick. Three of the Swedes’ targets in opposition to Italy bought right here on set gadgets.
Trinity Rodman’s shot from distance throughout the 18th minute was merely caught by Musovic, who stopped one different chance by Rodman throughout the twenty seventh.
Horan’s header off Andi Sullivan’s nook throughout the thirty fourth hit the crossbar and ignored the goal. Horan was heading in the right direction throughout the 53rd minute nevertheless Musovic pushed it in depth. Horan crouched to the sector in frustration whereas the Sweden keeper was swarmed by her teammates.
“I had a extremely good feeling earlier than the sport,” Musovic talked about. “As soon as once more, I’m extraordinarily happy with the ladies. Many individuals on the market didn’t suppose that (win) was attainable.”
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Extra AP Ladies’s World Cup safety: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup