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The United States pulled out of the FIFA World Cup on Sunday. Lost to defending champions Sweden after a 0-0 draw in regular time and extra time. Sweden then won the penalty shootout to make it 5-4 in the series. As for the USA, two World Cup champions in 2019 and 2015, their World Cup participation in Australia and New Zealand ends in their eighth final.
When no goals were scored in regular time or extra time it came down to penalties. Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelly O’Hara missed out for Team USA; Nathalie Bjorn and Rebecca Blomqvist for Sweden. In the end Lena Hurdick secured the victory for Sweden. The video referee confirmed that American goalkeeper Alyssa Neiher allowed the ball to go behind the goal line.
USA has won four World Cup titles. It would have been a third consecutive title if they had topped the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand: that feat would not have happened. Sweden will play Japan in the quarter-finals on Friday. The winner of that match will face either the Netherlands or Spain in the semi-finals, which start at 3pm (Dutch time) from Thursday to Friday.
Also Read Report of the Round of 16 between Netherlands and South Africa: Tears and relief for the Netherlands after their win over South Africa
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