The highly anticipated meeting between the USA and Sweden remained scoreless for a long time thanks to Swedish goalkeeper Zećira Mušović. In the end, the attacks carried over to the continuation.
The most awaited top match of the World Cup so far between the USA and Sweden ended up goalless until a dramatic penalty shootout.
The solution was obtained from the seventh pair, when Kelley O’hara failed and Linda Hurtig finished off Sweden’s continuation. The situation was dramatic, because Alyssa Naeher was very close to combating the situation. The ball crossed the goal line precisely based on technology.
The absolute figure of the match was the Swedish keeper Zećira Mušović, who made a total of ten saves in regular time. Two of the saves were real parade saves in the second half of the game.
In the quarterfinals, Sweden will face Japan, who played convincingly in the games, and won their match against Norway 3–1. The competitions of the reigning world champion, on the other hand, end in the quarterfinals.
The U.S. rocked considerably
If in previous matches the USA’s play raised question marks, the play against Sweden was much smoother from the start.
Especially during the last 15 minutes of the opening half, the focus of the game shifted entirely to Sweden’s half of the field. The USA was able to challenge, got shots and crosses on goal. Specially Trinity Rodman flashed his angry shot a few times.
– There is a sense of danger, and it has been missing from the United States in previous games, Urheilu’s expert Jonne Kunnas comment on the broadcast.
However, he reached the best place Lindsey Horan, who headed the corner kick into the top bar. Sweden couldn’t create any chances despite a couple of corner kicks and a counterattack. Sweden’s passing in particular was weak.
– The American game had improved considerably. General calmness with the ball and progress in peace. It wasn’t a problem, they took it easy and played futs, Urheilu’s expert Liisa-Maija Rautio stated at halftime.
Mušović made great saves
At the beginning of the second half, Sweden’s plight continued. The USA was very close to the opening goal at the beginning, when Lindsey Horan decided to shoot directly from the pass. Only by Zećira Mušović a great save prevented the whites from taking the lead.
After this, the game was a quieter wait for a long time, and neither got into dangerous places.
After the 80th minute, it started to happen. Sweden first Sofia Jakobsson got to the place and just before the 90 minutes were up Alex Morgan butt towards the left corner. This time too, Mušović took a longer shot with his incredible save.
– And it won’t! Another absolutely world-class stretch from Musociv. There is not much time to react to this either, but Zećira Mušović moves so electrically in Sweden’s goal, narrator Matti Härkönen amazed.
In the follow-up match, the United States was still on top. However, Mušović was not surprising when Sophie Smith got to try passing the Swede up close. Thus, the game stretched all the way to a penalty shootout, which ended with a Swedish celebration.
In the playoff match a day earlier, Holland defeated South Africa 2–0 By Jill Roord and by Lineth Beerenstein with goals. Holland will face Spain in the quarterfinals, who beat Switzerland 5–1.
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