FIFA Women's WC: Sweden knocks out the defending champions, USA

The United States of America have been knocked out of the ongoing FIFA Women's World Cup which is currently being hosted in Australia and New Zealand.

The two-time champions were beaten on penalties by Sweden in a dramatic fashion after playing 120 minutes of football with both sides not able to score a goal. Lina Hurtig’s penalty to win the tie required VAR to rule it had crossed the line after Alyssa Naeher thought she had given the USA a chance to play another penalty.

USA forward player Sophia Smith earlier missed the chance to win the match from the spot earlier in the shoot-out, kicking the ball wide after Naeher saved Rebecka Blomqvist’s effort.

Sweden were saved by a heroic performance from Zecira Muscovic following her series of saves from the USA who had a series of goal-scoring chances, with the goalkeeper producing stunning stops to deny Lindsey Horan’s curling shot and Alex Morgan’s late header to force extra-time.