USA, the current champions, have crashed out of the World Cup on penalties in front of more than 27,000 fans in Melbourne. Lina Hurtig’s spot-kick sent Sweden to the quarter-finals, helped significantly by the brilliance of Zecira Musovic between the sticks. It is the first time in the tournament’s history that the USA have been eliminated this early.
Vlatko Andonovski’s side had attracted widespread criticism in the days leading up to this encounter. Uncharacteristically lacklustre performances against the Netherlands and Portugal had led to questions being raised about the character of the team and the manager’s tactical capabilities. In the chill of Melbourne, they looked much improved but could not make their control of the game count, going out after the match finished 0-0 after extra time.
The absence of Rose Lavelle, one of their key creators, due to suspension did little to help to ease worries despite the USA’s impressive record in this competition. It forced Andonovski into making two changes with Emily Sonnett coming in while the rising star Trinity Rodman replaced Lynn Williams.
They were up against a Sweden team who were one of three sides to have won all their games so far. Peter Gerhardsson returned to the starters that served him so well in the 5-0 defeat of Italy, with the attacking trio of Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfö and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd all returning.
This American side are not used to being written off and it was clear from the start that the week’s commentary had lit a fire under them. They surged around the pitch with energy and intent, forcing their opponents back and into uncharacteristic errors. Smith and Rodman were finding space to drive down the flanks, their youthful enthusiasm pushing the USA forward.
They had Sweden on the ropes in the first half, with only last-ditch tackles, shaking crossbars and the alertness of Musovic keeping them at bay. Andi Sullivan flashed a shot wide early on before Rodman had a shot parried. The defence backed off the 21-year-old livewire every time she advanced, and she forced the keeper into another fine stop.
The USA’s best opportunity fell to their captain, Lindsay Horan, who was attacking the game with characteristic determination. Sweden are known for their ability at set pieces but the Lyon midfielder almost played them at their own game, leaping high above the defence only to see her header crash off the top of the woodwork. Despite their domination though, they failed to find a breakthrough, leaving Sweden with a glimmer of hope.
The break did little to sap the USA’s liveliness. Despite facing a higher Swedish press, they swarmed forward at every opportunity. It was only Musovic’s brilliance in goal that kept it level, at times the keeper putting up a one-woman wall. The pick of the bunch was a cat-like reaction to tip away an instinctive Horan effort, just tipping it around the far post.
It was unfortunate for the current champions that Rodman was only on limited minutes due to illness earlier in the week. Arguably the best American player on the pitch, her replacement by Williams allowed Sweden to take a breath and catch up with the pace of the game. Gerhardsson’s side were happy enough to bank up and try to pick their opponents off on the counter.
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The substitute Sofia Jakobsson almost did just that, advancing with a dazzling display of footwork to force Alyssa Naeher into a rare save. Down the other end, her goalkeeping counterpart was brilliant once more, keeping out Alex Morgan from point-blank range to see the tie into extra time.
Sweden showed more intent early on, but the game soon settled into the same rhythm as the USA continued to create. The inspired Musovic continued to capture the headlines with fine stops to keep out Morgan and Williams once more. And as tiredness set in, the game drifted towards penalties.
The shootout was filled with drama as Megan Rapinoe, Smith and O’Hara all missed. The substitute Hurtig stepped up to win it 5-4 for Sweden – only just, as Naeher failed to stop her near-save falling over the line – and set up a quarter-final with Japan in Auckland on Friday.
