8:51 am ET, Aug 6, 2023
How the USA were eliminated from the Women’s World Cup after losing to Sweden on penalties
From CNN’s Ben Church
Sweden goalkeeper Zećira Mušović was the outstanding player of the game.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
The USA team were heavily criticized for their performances ahead of Sunday’s round of 16 game against Sweden, but despite the eventual defeat, the two-time reigning champions can be proud of their reaction.
The USA were dominant for most of the game, outperforming their opponent and only being saved by Sweden’s quite brilliant goalkeeper Zećira Mušović.
On more than one occasion, Mušović made a stunning save to prevent the Americans from scoring the winning goal and forced the game to a penalty shoot-out after ending 0-0 after 120 minutes – 90 in regular time and 30 in extra time – Time.
Overall, the USA had 11 shots on target in the entire game, while Sweden was the only one.
But in football you have to make the most of your chances and the USA didn’t do that.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, US striker Alex Morgan recognized the team’s lack of assertiveness as a problem, which proved fatal against Sweden.
The problem became clear in the penalty shootout. If Sophia Smith had taken her penalty, USA would have been the team that would face Japan in the Quarterfinals.
Instead, the young striker failed to save Sweden.
The game was eventually decided by the video assistant referee (VAR) who, after reviewing the action, concluded that Lina Hurtig’s crucial penalty had crossed the line, although USA’s Alyssa Naeher initially appeared to have saved it can.
The dramatic penalty shoot-out that ended 5-4 against Blågult will draw a lot of attention, but the truth is that the USA should have won the game long before then.
It was a difficult task for the American team, but it boded well for the future.
Read the full match report Here.
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