Sports editorial, 6 August (EFE). Sweden beat the United States and qualified for the quarter-finals after a goalless duel that was decided on penalties. This leaves the current champion out of the World Cup.
The American team's 21 shots on goal showed its dominance, but it was not enough to overcome strong Sweden.
The United States searched for the opponent's goal from the early stages of the match. The ball went to the Americans in the first half, and Sullivan warned the North team with a shot from the edge of the penalty area in the sixth minute of the match.
The American team continued its insistence, and Rodman once again managed, with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area, to put goalkeeper Mosovic in trouble, who caught the ball and dodged the goal.
Sweden, which currently ranks third in the FIFA rankings, with 9 goals in the group stage, was unable to obtain the ball and as a result ended the second half without any shots on goal.
Mosovic stopped a very clear opportunity for American Horan in the 52nd minute, after a good cross from the left wing, which netted the net from a penalty kick from close range. However, the Chelsea goalkeeper appeared again to save her team.
The Swedish team focused its attacks on the right wing in the second half. Dunne ran from the sideline to the baseline and put the ball behind the American defence, allowing Johanna Kanried to finish easily but without finding the net.
Alex Morgan, who exited the World Cup without a goal, scored her goal at the end of the match with a header after a side cross, but the goalkeeper once again saved a clear scoring opportunity and sent her team to extra time.
With both teams showing fatigue, the United States continued to reach goal with greater clarity, and the North Americans, in a hurry, did not hesitate to shoot from anywhere near the opponent's box.
The match remained scoreless and was decided by penalty kicks. The first foul from 11 meters was from Everton's Bjorn. But Megan Ruffino surprisingly failed in the next round. Blomqvist shot over the goal and American Smith sent it over the crossbar to equalize the score.
Finally, Hurtig's shot gave Sweden victory thanks to a penalty kick that had to be reviewed by the automatic goal detection system.
The Nordic team will face Japan in the next round on Friday at 7:30 GMT at Eden Park in Auckland.
data sheet:
0- Sweden: Zisira Mosovic. Natalie Bjorn, Amanada Ellestate, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonah Andersson; Filippa Angeldahl (m. 97, Hannah Bennison), Kosovari Aslani (m. 81, Lena Hurtig), Ellen Robinson; Joanna Kanreid (d. 81, Sofia Jacobsson), Fredolina Rulfo, Stina Blackstenius (d. 112, Rebecca Blomkvist).
0 – USA: Lisa Naeher; Naomi Girma, Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox (d. 119, Kelli O'Hara); Lindsay Horan, Emily Sonnett (d. 119, Christie Moyes) Andy Sullivan; Trinity Rodman (m.65, Williams), Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan (m.98, Megan Ruffino).
Penalties: 0-1: Sullivan, goal. 1-1: Rulfo, goal. 1-2: Houran, goal. 2-2: Robinson, goal. 2-3: Moyes, goal. 2-3: Bjorn, miss. 2-3: Rapinoe, miss. 2:3: Blomkvist, miss. 2:3: Smith, miss. 3-3: Bennison, Miss. 3-4: Nyher, goal. 4-4: Eriksson, goal. 4-4: O'Hara, share. 5-4: Hurtig, goal.
Referee: Stephanie Frappart (FRA) For Sweden, Aslani was booked (minute 49).
Incidents: The first leg of the World Cup round of 16 in Australia and New Zealand was held on the rectangular field in Melbourne.
(c) EFE Agency
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