August 6 – The defending champions United States crashed out of the Girls’s World Cup following a dramatic penalty shootout within the spherical of 16 towards Sweden, the earliest exit ever for the People within the event, drawing the curtain over a golden age for the crew.
Megan Rapinoe smiled wryly. She had simply missed her penalty and maybe she felt what was coming: Sophia Smith and O’Hara additionally did not convert their penalties, however Sweden’s Lina Hurtig did, be it simply by millimetres, to steer the Europeans to a quarter-final with Japan and knock out the holders who have been in quest of an unprecedented third consecutive world title. For the primary time in World Cup historical past, the People haven’t reached the semi-finals.
It was essentially the most dramatic of endings for the US. Purpose-line know-how confirmed that goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher had not accomplished sufficient to maintain Hurtig’s spot kick out. The American primary went the appropriate means however she spilled the ball.
Sweden have been indebted to their goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who made 11 saves to maintain the USA, stung by criticism following a poor group stage, at bay. Lindsey Horan got here closest twice for her crew both aspect of the half, however the woodwork and an excellent Musovic prevented Horan from discovering the breakthrough.
As soon as once more, the US outshot their opponents. This time, 22-9, however as soon as once more the efficiency fell wanting the extent required to dispatch European opposition. The People had additionally struggled towards the Netherlands and Portugal within the group stage and that lack of effectivity got here again to chew them. Sweden have been minimalist of their method, sitting again to soak up the stress.
Indicating that his time on the helm of the nationwide crew could be up, US supervisor Vlatko Andonovski defended the efficiency: ”I believed that we had a fantastic gameplan, nice technique, we executed the sport plan, we had the appropriate personnel on the sector to execute the sport plan and if I needed to coach this group, this sport, yet again, I’d most likely do the identical.”
With the exit, Rapinoe and different stars depart the world stage and gained’t return for the 2027 finals. The US gained their second title in 2015 and confirmed their supremacy in 2019 when at instances they rode their luck towards Spain, France and England. That hegemony got here to an finish on Sunday. The world champions are going house.
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