[ad_1]
For 120 minutes, two-time defending champions America had complete control of the contest against world number three Sweden but they failed to find the back of the net.
Swedish goalkeeper Zećira Mušović produced a masterclass display as she repelled countless American attacks during the knockout stage contest at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium.
In the end the contest was sent into a penalty shootout and it was then that the drama went to the next level as the 27,706 fans in attendance sat on the edge of their seats.
After the first five kicks from the spot all found the back of the net, things took a wild and wacky turn.
The United states led 3-2 in the shoot-out before legendary veteran Megan Rapinoe – at her sixth World Cup – missed.
That came in a dramatic run of four-straight misses from the spot, with USA attacker Sophia Smith missing when a goal would have won the match.
As the shootout entered sudden death it was American Kelley O’Hara who missed a golden opportunity as her shot bounced off the post.
it then put the ball firmly in Sweden’s court as Lina Hurtig walked up to the spot with a chance to win it.
Her shot was initially saved but the deflection went over Naeher and looked to have crossed the line before it was swatted away.
Confusion reigned as the shot was initally ruled a no goal before VAR joined the mayhem and awarded the goal by a single millimeter.
The scenes left fans watching on and those in attendance in utter disbelief. Sweden erupted into wild celebration as the emotion poured out of America as their World Cup dream was crushed.
“This is just remarkable, wow. They cannot believe it, I’m not sure I can,” Simon Hill said in commentary.
The USA dominated proceedings throughout the majority of the contest.
They had 21 shots, 12 of which were on target. Sweden on the other hand only had seven with one being on target.
Possession was 58 per cent to 42 per cent, corners were in their favour 9-3.
In the end it matters for little as Sweden delivered when it mattered most during the penalty shootout.
The end makes it the earliest World Cup exit in American women’s football, while Sweden will now prepare themselves for a quarterfinal clash against Japan.
9.35pm – Sweden win in dramatic shootout scenes
We all watched it, but we cannot believe it. America have been sent packing after dominating Sweden for almost the entirety of the contest on Sunday night.
America had the opportunity to advance but a Kelley O’Hara miss opened the door for Sweden and Lina Hurtig took the opportunity.
Hurtig’s penalty was saved by Alyssa Naeher but the deflection went up and over the goal line before she swatted it away.
After initially being called a no goal, VAR came to the party and the win was awarded to Sweden by mere millimetres.
USA
Andi Sullivan goal
Lindsey Horan goal
Kristie Mewis goal
Megan Rapinoe miss (over the crossbar)
Sophia Smith miss (wide right)
Alyssa Naeher goal
Kelley O’Hara miss (off the post)
Sweden
Fridolina Rolfö goal
Elin Rubensson goal
Nathalie Björn miss (over the crossbar)
Rebecka Blomqvist miss (saved)
Hanna Bennison goal
Magdalena Eriksson goal
Lina Hurtig goal
9.30pm – Extra time 2
Zećira Mušović has done it again. The Swedish goalie has put herself in the perfect position time and again to deny the Americans.
In the opening stages of the second extra time session she diend them for the ninth time as she deflected another shot on target away from the net.
Sweden look like they’re holding on for this to go to penalties, they’ve barely threatened the American defensive line with only one shot on target all game.
Time has run out and we’re off to a penalty shootout.
9.15pm – Extra time 1
Sweden made the running in the opening few minutes of the first extra time period, but it was America who again had made the most of the first 15 minutes.
Alex Morgan and Lynn Williams both delivered scintillating shots on target, but it was Sweden’s superstar goalkeeper who kept her country alive.
Zećira Mušović will go home a national hero after this performance, producing eight saves and single-handedly keeping Sweden in the contest.
8.50pm – Mušović saves the day for Sweden
In the dying minutes a header from American star Alex Morgan looked on target to find the back of the net.
But as she did earlier in the contest Zećira Mušović appeared to deny the American’s their World Cup dream.
The Swedish goalkeeper has been on another level all game long as she’s kept the two-time world champions out of the net.
In the end the time ran out with the sides now set for extra time.
8.45pm – Still locked up in the dying stages
It’s all eyes on the clock right now as it appears we’re headed for extra time in this knockout stage clash with less than five minutes plus additional time to play.
America made all the running throughout the majority of the contest but couldn’t find the back of the net with skipper Lindsey Horan cruelly denied on two occassions.
Sweden went a staggering 84 minutes without recording a shot on target, but their first attempt left hearts in mouths as they almost pinched victory in one stunning moment.
8.25pm – 20 minutes left on the clock
Despite America’s dominance, the scoreboard still reads 0-0.
Sweden have barely made an impact in their own half as they’ve played the majority of the second half defending against the onslaught of American charges.
8.10pm – Horan denied again by masterful save
Lindsey Horan has been denied what looked a certain goal.
A cross into the box made it’s way into the path of the USA skipper as she slammed a volley towards the bottom corner.
Her attempt would have found the back of the net nine out of ten times, thankfully for Swedish fans they were saved the despair of going down 1-0 by a brilliant save.
7.50pm – Halftime 0-0
Sweden will be thankful to enter the halftime break all locked up at 0-0 after America clearly had the better chances in the opening half.
America continually attacked but failed to break through the Swedish defensive line.
Their closest opportunity came at the 34th minute when Lindsey Horan’s header thumped into the crossbar from a corner.
Sweden have looked likely on the counter-attack, but haven’t properly troubled their rivals in front of goal.
7.35pm – America mere inches away from the lead
In their first corner of the contest after 34 minutes, America almost broke the deadlock with a Lindsey Horan header slamming into the crossbar.
The Americans have been the more potent offensively, but so far they’ve been able to penetrate the Swedish defense.
7.15pm – No headway in the opening 15 minutes
While both teams have made some forward surges none have been particularly threatening in the opening stages.
America are looking the more aggressive of the two but Sweden are pouncing on the counter and look likely they could open them up defensively.
7pm – Americans again remain silent during anthem
Like they have done throughout the entire World Cup campaign, a host of the starting players for the American team remained silent during the playing of the national anthem.
In total five players kept their mouths closed as the anthem blasted around the stadium.
6:30pm – American turn on their own ahead of clash
The backlash towards the defending champs reached boiling point after they just secured a spot in the knockout stages with a draw against Portugal.
In a game they needed to secure a point from to advance, the Americans were thanking their lucky stars when a late Portugal strike bounced out off the post.
“The fact we are in, we are lucky, but we are moving on,” said USA coach Vlatko Andonovski.
“Now we will do everything possible so that same situation doesn’t happen again. We are doing everything we can to provide success and meet the expectations for everyone.”
But their antics throughout the group stage has seen them become public enemy number one back on their own shores.
Veteran presenter Megyn Kelly delivered a scathing tirade against the team, taking aim in particular at Megan Rapinoe.
“She’s poisoned the entire team against the country for which they play,” Kelly said.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m not rooting for them. I’m not with them. I hope they lose … it’s shameful.”
Outspoken US commentator Jason Whitlock launched an ugly outburst in Rapinoe’s direction, labelling her the “Andrew Tate of feminism”.
“In the history of sports, no team has needed a comeuppance more than our women’s soccer team,” Whitlock said.
“Rooting against this American Nightmare is not unpatriotic. Rooting for them is.
“Rapinoe is the ultimate pimp. She is the Andrew Tate of LGBTQ feminism. She sees herself as a force for good, a force for freedom and proper femininity.”
It’s not just Americans who aren’t impressed with the 2023 version of the top ranked women’s football side with former Matilda Catherine Cannuli told Optus Sport that she wasn’t impressed with the Americans.
“The movement off the ball for the USA the other day was non-existent. It‘s the worst I’ve seen them play in a long, long time,” Cannuli said on Optus Sport.
“Before, they were able to dominate teams with their physicality. Now, teams are starting to tactically outplay them, and that‘s going to be a big problem for them going forward.”
Former Denmark keeper Thomas Sorenson said that the current American transition would take time.
“It‘s a culture shift, and it takes time,” Sorenson said.
“They‘ve come from a period of great success, and now they’re struggling, it takes adjustment. All they need is one big win to kick on from, and there’s a chance they go far in this tournament.”
Originally published as Sweden send America packing after VAR awards goal by 1mm
[ad_2]
Source link
