Sweden advanced to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-finals after a narrow penalty shootout win over 2019 champions USWNT on Sunday (7 August) in Melbourne.
Either side failed to find the back of the net in 90 minutes, and after 30 minutes of extra time the scoreline was still goalless.
It was the USWNT who consistently looked most likely to score, but a solid defensive display from Sweden saw the world champions forced into the first extra time and penalty shootout of the tournament.
Goalkeeper Zećira Mušović kept Sweden in the game as she pulled off a number of incredible saves throughout normal and extra time, denying the USWNT in the process.
After five penalties, the sides were drawn having scored three shots each.
Sudden death saw both Sweden and USWNT score a goal a piece, before Kelley O’Hara hit the post.
Sweden’s Lina Hurtig then took her shot, and although USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher got a hand to it, goal line technology revealed that the ball had crossed the line, awarding Sweden the all-important win.
The loss results in USWNT earliest exit ever from a FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Sweden will now face Japan in the quarter finals on Friday (11 August) in Auckland.