USA's Women's World Cup reign comes to a heartbreaking end in penalty shootout against Sweden

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

World Cup crown came to a heartbreaking end after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat against Sweden. The four-time champions, who had been the favorites to win the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, were knocked out at the last 16 stage following a hard-fought 0-0 draw in normal time.

As the match progressed, both teams fought tirelessly, but neither could break the deadlock in regular play. The tension rose as the game went to penalties, and the advantage shifted multiple times between the teams. Megan Rapinoe, a standout player for the US, was among those missing in the shootout.

The final penalty added an extra layer of drama and controversy. Swedish forward Lina Hurtig's shot was parried by US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, and it seemed like Naeher had managed to prevent the ball from crossing the line. However, after a VAR review, the ball was deemed to have barely crossed the line, leading to wild celebrations among the Swedish players and staff.

The heartbreaking defeat marked the end of the US team's remarkable dominance on the world stage, and it dashed their hopes of securing a third consecutive Women's World Cup triumph. Their early exit at this tournament stands as their earliest departure from a World Cup, signaling a shift in the global women's soccer landscape. Struggles Throughout the Tournament Throughout the 2023 edition of the Women's World Cup, the US team's performances fell short of their usual standards. Key players faced strong opposition from Sweden's goalkeeper, Zećira Mušović, who made crucial saves, denying the Americans crucial opportunities to score. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski admitted that the team did