Lee Heidhues 8.6.2023
I woke up Sunday morning to learn that the American soccer team had been ousted by Sweden from the World Cup by an inch.
A saved penalty kick cruelly fell to the ground an inch inside the goal marker.
That final inch sent the Americans down to their worst World Cup performance in the history of the tournament.
I could only bring myself to watch the penalty kick shootout hours after the Americans had long left the pitch in Australia.
Excerpted from The Local – Stockholm Sweden 8.6.2023
Sweden stunned the United States 5-4 in a sudden-death penalty shootout on Sunday to surge into a Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Japan and consign the defending champions to their earliest-ever exit.
The title-holders dominated the opening 90 minutes but a breakthrough proved elusive with Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic making some startling saves to keep her side alive.
With the deadlock remaining after extra-time it went to penalties in Melbourne — and the tension went up another notch.
Sweden’s Nathalie Bjorn was the first to miss, skying high, only for Megan Rapinoe to do the same.
Rebecka Blomqvist’s effort was saved, again putting the USA in the driving seat, only for Sophia Smith to blast wide.
When Kelley O’Hara hit the post, it was all down to Sweden’s Lina Hurtig, who made sure — but only after VAR ruled her kick had crossed the line.
The dramatic conclusion leaves the tournament without the two top-ranked sides after Germany’s group-stage departure, with the Swedes now considered among the chief frontrunners as the world number three.
https://www.thelocal.se/20230806/sweden-dump-defending-champions-usa-out-of-world-cup-on-penalties
Top photo: Megan Rapinoe walks off the World Cup pitch for the last time.
Lee's Perspective 