This was published 1 year ago
Well, that is all from me today. What a wild night!
Congratulations to Sweden, who have downed the reigning champions to progress to the quarterfinals.
I’ll be back tomorrow night to take you through the next lot of our round of 16 games:
England v Nigeria at 5:30pm in Brisbane, before the main event - Australia v Denmark at 8:30pm in Sydney.
Get a good night sleep tonight because tomorrow is going to be epic!
Fridolina Rolfo of Sweden celebrates her team’s victory.Credit: Getty
USA coach Vlatko Andonovski has praised his players and sees a bright future for the team heading into the next world cup.
“I’m so proud of the team, the women on the field and everyone outside,” USA coach Vlatko Andonovski told broadcasters post game.
“I know we were criticised for the way we played. I think we came out and showed what we are all about, the grit, the resilience, the fight and the bravery. We did everything we could to win this game, but unfortunately soccer can be cruel sometimes.”
US coach Vlatko Andonovski waves after being knocked out of the World Cup.Credit: Reuters
He pointed to five of his starting side being at their first world cup and that will be more dominant at the next World Cup based on these experiences with the likes of Naomi Girma and Trinity Rodman having bright futures to come.
Andonovski added that sometimes penalties just don’t work out.
“We have worked on penalties for the last nine months, but sometimes you are not going to hit the right one,” Andonovski said.
Not sure if the camera caught this moment but as Sweden’s lap of honour continued, striker Sofia Jakobsson broke off from the group and nervously approached the USA huddle.
The USA players were stunned, just standing around, consoling each other and trying to figure out what had just happened.
Jakobsson was looking for just one player, defender Naomi Girma. The pair are teammates at San Diego Wave in the National Women’s Soccer League in the US.
Sweden’s Sofia Jakobsson consoles Naomi Girma of the US.Credit: Reuters
Jakobsson tapped her on the shoulder and pulled her into a hug, what else can you do when you have denied a friend her dream? Jakobsson looked to touch her face or maybe wipe away a tear before they exchanged some words and returned to their teams.
One will play on, the other will go home.
We love to see the win for Sweden, but it is absolutely devastating for team USA who came into this tournament as the reigning champions.
They’ll be back, but for now, it’s another team’s time to claim that World Cup trophy.
Sophia Smith of USA is consoled by Lindsey Horan.Credit: Getty
Megan Rapinoe and Kristie Mewis of USA show dejection after the team’s defeat.Credit: Getty
Megan Rapinoe reacts after being knocked out in the round of 16 in her final World Cup.Credit: Reuters
*Monty Python whistles*
There was a moment of uncertainty around the stadium.
Sweden was sure their winning penalty had gone in, USA was adamant it hadn’t and the VAR was checking the replay.
What does that referee signal mean we all wondered? Then Sweden answered it as they wheeled off into joyous celebrations as did their fans - both those rusted on and those joining them for tonight.
USA’s players and fans look equally as stunned and then the tears came.
Football can be a cruel game and penalty shootouts are often the cruelest moments. But they are decisive. Sweden will advance and USA will go home.
ABBA’s Dancing Queen is playing now, not sure either team deserves it, but it is playing nonetheless.
Lina Hurtig and teammates celebrate after their victory.Credit: AP
The tournament favourites’ campaign has been ended by what couldn’t be more than a few millimetres. What drama.
The USA’s World Cup dreams ended by mere millimetres.Credit: Optus Sport
No team wants to lose in penalty shootout, but Sweden have managed to hold on to knock out the USA - the reigning World Cup champions.
In her final World Cup appearance, Megan Rapinoe missed her penalty kick along with teammate Sophia Smith.
Sweden would have thought they were out of the tournament after Nathalie Bjorn missed the third penalty kick for the Swedes, but they crawled their way back to stay alive in this tournament.
Sweden did not play their best football tonight, but they got the job done.
Full time: Sweden 0 (5), USA 0 (4)
Lina Hurtig and team Sweden celebrate after defeating the USA in penalty shootout.Credit: Getty