The United States played its best game of this Women's World Cup and it's wasn't good enough to stop the two-time reigning champions from being eliminated from the tournament.
The Americans' bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended Sunday night on penalty kicks when Lina Hurtig converted and Sweden knocked the United States out of the World Cup 5-4 after a scoreless draw.It is the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States, four-time winners of the World Cup.
The United States was eliminated in the Round of 16 for the first time in team history. The American's worst finish had been third place, three times. Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelly O'Hara all missed penalty kicks that could have given the United States the win. The result ended the international career of Rapinoe, the Golden Boot winner of the 2019 tournament who is retiring after the World Cup. She had taken on a smaller role for the Americans in her final tournament and was a substitute in the United States' first and third games of group play, and didn't get off the bench in the middle match.
The Americans looked far better against Sweden, dominating possession and outshooting the Swedes 5-1 in the first half alone. Lindsey Horan's first-half header hit the crossbar and a second-half blast was saved by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had six saves in regulation. Horan's header off Andi Sullivan's corner in the 34th hit the crossbar and skipped over the goal. Horan was on target in the 53rd minute but Musovic dove to push it wide. Horan crouched to the field in frustration while Musovic was swarmed by her teammates.
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