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.
