By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Defending champions United States of America (USA) crashed out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Sunday in a stunning result against Sweden in the round of 16, failing to reach the semi-finals for the first time in the history of this tournament.
A penalty kick by Sweden’s Lina Hurtig in the seventh round of a shootout deflected off the hands of goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, but the ricochet was deemed to have crossed the line when examined by goal-line technology.
With this unexpected victory, the Swedes have advanced to play Asian giants Japan in the quarter-final on Friday.
It was expected that another heavyweight will fall in this Round of 16 stage of the ongoing World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand but not many expected that Sweden will edge the USA in this dramatic fashion.
For the United States, it was a heartbreaking end to a tournament that never seemed to get rolling. They finished second in the group stage after beating Vietnam in their opening match and posting draws against the Netherlands and Portugal, barely squeaking into the knockout rounds after a Portuguese shot struck the wrong side of the post in stoppage time.
The squad dealt with injury issues, a yellow card suspension to star midfielder Rose Lavelle and a hailstorm of criticism from analysts and fans alike.
Manager Vlatko Andonovski entered the match against Sweden under incredible pressure to turn the tide. And for a while it appeared that he had done it.
With Lavelle unable to play, Andonovski switched his formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 and fortified the midfield by introducing Emily Sonnett, an extra holding player alongside Andi Sullivan.
The strategy worked beautifully as the Americans reasserted themselves in position and maintained more of the ball than they had in either of the last two matches. Wingers Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman looked exceptionally potent down the wings. The confidence and swagger returned.
But just as it has all tournament, the final product still eluded the United States. Finishing chances was, and still is, the biggest Achilles’ heel for a country that is transitioning from one generation of stars to another.
The U.S. out-shot Sweden 22-9 overall and finished with an 11-1 edge in shots on target but was unable to beat goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who was the best player on the field for either team. READ ALSO:
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Time and again Musovic, who plays for the English side Chelsea, thwarted the Americans with incredible saves and unflinching command of her penalty area.
All of which set the stage for a rollicking penalty shootout, a seesawing spectacle in which both nations held the upper hand at one point or another.
A miss by the late substitute Kelley O’Hara afforded Sweden a chance to win it in the second round of sudden death penalties, and that’s when Hurtig’s shot deflected across the line to send the Americans home.
