The defending champion USA was eliminated in the 1/8 round of the 2023 Women's World Cup

The penalty shootout was dramatic when Nathalie Bjorn kicked over the bar, giving the US a 3-2 lead. But soon after, veteran midfielder Megan Rapinoe also shot into the sky. In the fourth turn, both Sophia Smith of the United States and Rebecka Blomqvist missed, before Hanna Bennison helped Sweden equalize 3-3 after five shots.

Magdalena Eriksson and Alyssa Naeher hit the sixth leg. Right after that, Kelly Ohara put the US at a disadvantage with a pole-smashing shot. Assigned to kick the decisive turn, Lina Hurtig seemed to throw away a golden opportunity when her kick was saved twice by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

However, thanks to the intervention of VAR, the referee determined that the ball had passed the goal line only a few millimeters, meaning Hurtig successfully kicked the seventh round to help Sweden win 5-4. This rare situation caused the US to leave the World Cup for the first time without winning a medal.

America was unlucky and squandered many chances in the two main and two extra periods. They launched 22 shots with 11 on target, but were prevented by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic. 34 minutes, when Lindsey Horan's header beat the Swedish guard, the crossbar prevented the US from scoring.

This is the first time Sweden has won a penalty shootout at a World Cup. The Nordic team continues to show that they are the most formidable opponent to the US team in world tournaments. Sweden defeated the US 3-0 in the group stage of the 2020 Olympic Games. At the 2016 Olympics, they also won the US penalty shootout in the quarterfinals, after drawing 1-1. This is the first time Sweden and the United States have met in the knockout round of the World Cup. Before that, they had met six times but were all in the group stage with four wins, one draw and one loss for the US.

Sweden will face Japan in the quarter-finals on August 11 at Eden Park, New Zealand.

Sweden: Zecira Musovic, Jonna Andersson, Magdalena Eriksson, Amanda Ilestedt, Nathalie Bjorn, Kosovare Asllani, Filippa Angeldal, Fridolina Rolfo, Johanna Kaneryd, Elin Rubensson, Stina Blackstenius

USA: Alyssa Naeher, Naomi Girma, Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Lindsey Horan, Sophia Smith, Emily Sonnett, Andi Sullivan, Trinity Rodman, Alex Morgan.