Sweden defeated the USWNT on penalties to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Sunday, with the Europeans winning via a dramatic penalty shootout
The USWNT crashed out the 2023 Women’s World Cup on penalties as VAR revealed just how close the margin was as the Sweden penalty crossed the line.
Sweden came into the heavyweight contest with a 100 percent record of three wins from three in the group stage. and with victory over the US from the last high profile encounter between the teams at the Olympics in 2021.
Meanwhile, the USWNT had won their opening game against Vietnam but drew with the Netherlands and Portugal on their way to edging into the Round of 16. It was a nervy – and controversial – tournament for the reigning back-to-back world champions – and their exit was confirmed in brutal circumstances.
After Kelley O’Hara slammed her penalty against the woodwork, Lina Hurtig stepped up for Sweden. Her effort was originally saved by US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, but the ball ricocheted off her gloves and spun goalbound.