Sweden eliminated favorites USA after a striking penalty

Defending world champions USA were knocked out by Sweden in a penalty shootout. After 120 minutes of play, no goals had been scored and penalties had to be taken. Five failed.

Missing are USA stars Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelly O’Hara. For Sweden, Nathalie Bjorn and Rebecca Blomqvist failed at eleven meters. Lina Hurdik scored the decisive penalty for Sweden, which meant Sweden won the penalty shootout 5–4.

The goal could not be celebrated immediately because Alyssa Nahar stopped the shot. After applying goal-line technology, the ball was found to have crossed the line and Hardik’s goal was disallowed.

This is the first time in history that the US women have not finished in the top 3 at the World Championships. The U.S. was a four-time world champion, once runner-up, and three times bronze medalist.

A possible opponent is the Netherlands

Sweden will face Japan in the quarter-finals on Friday, August 11 (09:30 Dutch time). The winner of that match will play Netherlands vs Spain.