The U.S. Women’s National Team’s quest to become the first team to win three straight World Cups has come to an end.
And it was an excruciating end, as the USWNT fell to Sweden in penalty kicks in the round of 16 by the slimmest of margins.
And we mean the slimmest of margins.
After going scoreless through 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time – despite 22 shots and 11 on goal for the Americans – the match went to PKs.
The USWNT started out great in the shootout, converting their first three, while Sweden missed their third.
Even after legend Megan Rapinoe sent one over the bar, the U.S. held the edge, thanks to a save by veteran keeper Alyssa Naeher. But the Swedes knotted things up after Sophia Smith missed her PK and Hanna Bennison converted to keep the shootout alive.
The real drama began when Kelley O’Hara – subbed on near the end of extra time – hit the post.
Lina Hurtig stepped up for the Swedes and Naeher, fresh off scoring a PK of her own, came up big again. Or so it seemed.
After saving the kick and swatting away the rebound, Naeher was convinced she had saved the day, seen on camera saying “no chance” as the referee signaled she was waiting for a review from above.
The goal line technology showed a tiny little sliver of blue-green between the ball and the goal line, giving Sweden its first win over the U.S. at the World Cup since 2011, having now met in six straight tournaments.
Attention now turns to the 2024 Olympics in Paris for the USWNT.