![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/usa-dumped-out-of-womens-world-cup-after-shootout-defeat-to-sweden-decided-by-var/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_GettyImages-1596120687.jpg&description=USA had been the favourites to retain their title but have been knocked out in the last 16 after a dramatic shootout with Megan Rapinoe missing from the spot USA have been knocked out of the Women's World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Sweden. The four-time champions had been the favourites to defend their crown in Australia and New Zealand but have exited the competition at the last 16 stage after a 0-0 draw in normal time. It is their earliest exit at a World Cup, who had the advantage in the shootout before it was eventually settled by VAR with Megan Rapinoe among those missing. The final penalty was a controversial one with Alyssa Naeher parrying Lina Hurtig's effort before scrambling back to seemingly stop the ball cross the line. But after a brief delay, VAR judged the ball to have crossed the line by the finest of margins to spark wild scenes among the Sweden players and staff. The defeat brings the US team's domination of the world stage to an end and denies them a third consecutive Women's World Cup triumph. They had been the better side for most of normal time but could not find a way past Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic. USA skipper Lindsey Horan also hit the bar before the match went down to penalties. Both sides found the net with their first two spot kicks before Sweden's Nathalie Bjorn gave the advantage to the holders. But they couldn't take it as Rapinoe blazed over the top. Goalkeeper Naeher made another fine stop before scoring herself but Sweden held firm and had match point when Kelley O'Hara hit the post. And Arsenal's Hurtig stepped forward for the winning penalty to ensure a quarter-final clash with Japan for Sweden. USA's players were visibly distraught at full time with Naeher protesting that the entire ball did not go over the line. Speaking on ITV, ex-England star Eni Aluko said: "The USA were trying to win a threepeat, the standards are so high. Musovic had a really good game for Sweden. "This USA team is in transition.){kind=link}
USA had been the favourites to win a third consecutive title but have been knocked out in the last 16 after a dramatic shootout with VAR deciding the last kick
USA have been knocked out of the Women’s World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Sweden.
The four-time champions had been the favourites to defend their crown in Australia and New Zealand but have exited the competition at the last 16 stage after a 0-0 draw in normal time.
It is their earliest exit at a World Cup, who had the advantage in the shootout before it was eventually settled by VAR with Megan Rapinoe among those missing.
The final penalty was a controversial one with Alyssa Naeher parrying Lina Hurtig’s effort before scrambling back to seemingly stop the ball cross the line.