The United States Women’s National Team has been faced with the inevitable as Sweden progresses in a breathtaking shoot-out to eliminate them in the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Four-time winners. One-time beaten finalist. Three-time second runner-up, the United States had never failed to reach the semi finals in any of the eight previous editions of the tournament before setting out for Oceania.
However, poor showing in the group round saw them just managed to scale through from the round, at the expense of debutant, Portugal.
But in the round of 16, there was no hiding place for them as Sweden Goalkeeper, Zecira Musovic repelled all thrown at her over the course of 120 minutes, making 11 saves to force penalty shoot-out.
Sweden, who had been beaten in knockout rounds of the tournament in the past finally got their revenge, winning the shoot-out 5-4 with each team taking seven each.
Kelley O’Hara eventually became the villain, as Lina Hurtig managed to beat Alyssa Naeher by only millimeters, right after Sophia had missed United States’ seventh penalty.
Sweden reaches the quarter finals, where they will battle Japan for a place in the last four.
Hassan Afolabi
