The United States of America have crashed out of the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup after losing on penalties to Sweden.
Sweden emerged winners 5-4 on penalty shootout after 120 minutes of football ended goalless to eliminate the defending champions.
Olympic winners Canada, Brazil, and Germany all failed to make it out of the group stage of this year’s competition.
The Swedish goalie stopped 11 shots compared to the USA goalkeeper’s one, while the Americans were successful on four of Sweden’s counterattacks.
Sweden has joined the Netherlands who defeated African champions South Africa 2-0 to progress into the quarterfinals.
The U.S. dominated the game, hitting the woodwork on several occasions and forcing fine saves from Sweden’s goalkeeper, but the game was tied 0-0 after extra time.
USA coach devastated over loss to Sweden.
“I see the players in tears, it hurts,” USA coach Vlatko Andonovski told a news conference after his team crashed out on penalties. “If I have to coach this and this team again, I’d do it all again,” he added. “I love them all … they’re my friends.”
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Sweden will take on 2011 champions, Japan, which cruised into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Norway.
The action continues tomorrow when host Australia takes on Denmark and African representative Nigeria faces England.
