REIGNING champions the United States of America are out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after being beaten by Sweden 5-4 on penalties in Melbourne, Australia today.
USA were dominant for most of the 120 minutes but they were denied by an impressive Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic as the match finished 0-0.
There was drama in the penalty shootout as three USA players missed, including the iconic Megan Rapinoe in her last World Cup appearance, before Sweden won in controversial circumstances.
USA keeper Alyssa Naeher appeared to have saved Lina Hurtig’s kick at the second attempt, having pushed the initial effort up before pushing it out.
But after reviewing with the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Stephanie Frappart awarded the goal, sending Sweden through.
This is the USA’s worst performance at the tournament as they had never previously failed to make it to the semi-finals.
Sweden, looking for their first title, will face 2011 champions Japan in the quarter-finals.
Japan are the only team left in the tournament to have won the title before, with Germany, Norway and USA all having been eliminated.
VERY WELL DESERVING VICTORY OVER THE PARTISAN POLITICS US TEAM.
The US team lost due to the unholy indecent leadership of a MANNERLESS team captain who ventured into the dirty water of the politics of the US in an alignment with the EVIL UNDEMOCRATIC party.
THE GARRULOUS UNCOUTH Megan Rapinoe DID NOT TAKE THE SERIOUS BUSNIESS OF SOCCER, RATHER INSTEAD WAS BUSY MAKING POLITICAL STATEMENTS AGAINST THE PERSON AND GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT Donald Trump.
The Swedish side took the business of soccer seriously and secured a formidable victory over a political side of Americ.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE Swedish TEAM.