The Americans, double reigning world champions, are eliminated. Sweden struck a blow in their round of 16 this Sunday, August 6. After a match in which they repelled the onslaught of Alex Morgan and his family, thanks in particular to a great Zecira Musovic in goal, Peter Gerhardsson’s players took the United States out at this stage of the competition to the first time in history.
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Definitely a World Cup of firsts. After many nations who have gleaned historic qualifications for the round of 16 or their first victory in the competition, here is a new, resounding. The United States, two-time defending champions, went out in the first knockout match.
Dominating against Sweden this Sunday, August 6 in Melbourne, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and others, came up against the opposing defense and an excellent goalkeeper in the person of Zecira Musovic. The Nordiques pulled the Americans to penalties (0-0, 5-4 on pens), where they held on and were able to thank the goal line technology to offer them victory after a moment of hesitation.
A guardian’s story…
If the level of gates in women’s football is often criticized, Musovic has probably marked a milestone in the way of progress in this area. After warming up her gloves quietly on a first strike from Rodman (18th), she unrolled her one-woman-show.
Ten minutes later, she repelled a cross shot from Angeldahl, before literally disgusting Horan, who thought he had taken her on the wrong foot on a powerful ball volleyed into the box. Not yet satisfied, the Chelsea goalkeeper won a face-off against an opponent even though she had been flagged offside (62nd) and repelled a header from Alex Morgan in an astonishing reflex to snatch extra time (89th) .
… and goal line technology
Sweden, which only scored a small shot in the 120 minutes of play, found itself very happy to bravely try its luck on penalties. A perfect scenario until the end since three Americans missed each other, including Megan Rapinoe who sent her shot in the stands and Sophia Smith who nevertheless had the match point at the end of her foot.
Varnished to the end, the Swedes finally saw Stéphanie Frappart, the referee of the meeting, tell them that they had finally won the penalty shootout, after a moment of hesitation of a few seconds, which seemed endless. Indeed, the last penalty was diverted by Alyssa Naeher, but not enough. The ball rose and then fell behind the line, just a hair’s breadth, before she caught it. Impossible to arbitrate without goal line technology.
After the historic feat, the Swedes will have to refocus quickly. Because on Wednesday, a very high level quarter-final awaits them against the Japanese, who have shown an excellent level since the start of the competition.