Megan Rapinoe of the United States reacts after failing to convert her kick during a penalty shootout in a Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match Sunday against Sweden in Melbourne, Australia. Rapinoe, the Golden Boot winner of the 2019 tournament, has said she will retire after this year’s World Cup. Hamish Blair/Associated Press
MELBOURNE, Australia — The United States played its best game of this Women’s World Cup, but it’s wasn’t good enough to stop the two-time reigning champions from being eliminated from the tournament.
The Americans’ 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 before Lina Hurtig converted in the seventh round to clinch the shootout, 5-4, as Sweden knocked the United States out of the World Cup after a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time.
It’s the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States, four-time winners of the World Cup.
“Just devastated. It feels like a bad dream,” said captain Alex Morgan. “The team put everything out there tonight, I feel like we dominated, but it doesn’t matter. We’re going home, and it’s the highs and lows of the sport of soccer. So, yeah, it doesn’t feel great.”
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher fruitlessly argued she had saved Hurtig’s attempt, but it was ruled over the line by video review. The stadium played Abba’s “Dancing Queen” in the stadium as the Swedes celebrated.
“We just lost the World Cup by a millimeter. That’s tough,” said Naeher, who successfully converted her own penalty kick. “I am proud of the fight of the team. We knew we hadn’t done our best in the group stage and we wanted a complete team performance, and the team came out and played great.”
She praised Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had 11 saves. The worst previous finish for the U.S. had been third place, three times.
“We didn’t put anything in the back of the net,” sobbed Julie Ertz after the loss. “The penalties were tough. It’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever. It’s just tough. It’s an emotional time. It obviously sucks. Penalties are the worst.”
The U.S. was in front for most of the shootout, but Megan Rapinoe, a late substitute, and Sophia Smith both shot over the net, with Smith’s miss coming on a shot that would have given the United States the win. Then O’Hara, another late substitute, hit the post in the seventh round, giving Hurtig a chance to win it for Sweden. Hurtig’s shot was partially blocked by Naeher, who then batted the ball away as it bounced straight up above her, but it was determined that the ball barely crossed the goal line.
Sweden players celebrate after defeating the United States in a penalty shootout in their Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match Sunday in Melbourne, Australia. Hamish Blair/Associated Press
The loss was somewhat expected based on the Americans’ listless play through three group stage matches. But they played their best game of this World Cup against Sweden, only to have it decided by penalties.
“I am proud of the women on the field,” said U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski. “I know we were criticized for the way we played, and for different moments in the group stage. I think we came out today and showed the grit, the resilience, the fight. The bravery showed we did everything we could to win the game. And, unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes.”
It was the was the fourth time the Americans went to extra time at the World Cup. All three previous matches went to penalties, including the 2011 final won by Japan. The U.S. won on penalties in a 2011 quarterfinal against Brazil, and in the 1999 final at the final at the Rose Bowl against China.
Sweden knocked the United States out of the 2016 Olympics in the quarterfinals on penalties.
Sweden goes on to the quarterfinals to play Japan, the 2011 World Cup winner, which defeated Norway 3-1 on Saturday.
Sweden has never won a major international tournament, either the World Cup or the Olympics. The closest the team has come is World Cup runner-up in 2003. Sweden finished third in 1999, 2011 and 2019, and won silver medals at the last two Olympics.
The result ended the international career of Rapinoe, the Golden Boot winner of the 2019 tournament who is retiring after the World Cup. She had taken on a smaller role for the Americans in her final tournament and was a substitute in the United States’ first and third games of group play, and didn’t get off the bench in the middle match.
She was sent on in extra time against Sweden, and in her final game and few minutes of action, she failed to control a ball played in deep, whiffed on a rebound, hit the side of the net with a corner kick, and then missed the penalty that would have put the United States on the verge of victory.
“I mean, this is like a sick joke. For me personally, this is like dark comedy that I missed a penalty,” Rapinoe said as she blinked back tears. “This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game. I think it can be cruel.”
The Americans struggled through group play with just four goals in three matches. They were nearly eliminated last Tuesday by first-timers Portugal, but eked out a 0-0 draw to fall to second in their group for just the second time at a World Cup.
The Americans looked far better against Sweden, dominating possession and outshooting the Swedes 5-1 in 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 won all three of its group games, including a 5-0 rout of Italy in its final group match. Coach Peter Gerhardsson made nine lineup changes for the match, resting his starters in anticipation of the United States.
It was tense from the opening whistle.
Naeher punched the ball away from a crowded goal on an early Sweden corner kick. Three of the Swedes’ goals against Italy came on set pieces.
Trinity Rodman’s shot from distance in the 18th minute was easily caught by Musovic, who stopped another chance by Rodman in the 27th.
Horan’s header off Andi Sullivan’s corner in the 34th hit the crossbar and skipped over the goal. Horan was on target in the 53rd minute, but Musovic dove to push it wide. Horan crouched to the field in frustration, while Musovic was swarmed by her teammates.
“I had a really good feeling before the game,” Musovic said. “Once again, I’m extremely proud of the girls. Many people out there didn’t think that (win) was possible.”
The United States was without Rose Lavelle, who picked up her second yellow card of the tournament in the group stage finale against Portugal and has to sit out against Sweden.
In Lavelle’s absence, Andonovski started Emily Sonnett, who was making her first start for the team since 2022. The addition of Sonnett allowed Horan to move up higher in the midfield.
Sweden pressed in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Sofia Jakobsson, who came in as a substitute in the 81st minute, nearly scored in the 85th, but Naeher managed to catch it for her first save of the tournament.
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