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'Football hain Soccer nhi'- Fans react as Sweden eliminates defending champions USA out of FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

Sweden qualified for the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 after defeating the USWNT in a penalty shootout.

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'Football hain Soccer nhi'- Fans react as Sweden eliminates defending champions USA out of FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

(Source - Twitter)

Sweden qualified for the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 after defeating USA in a penalty shootout on Sunday (7 August) in Melbourne. The USWNT appeared the most likely to score, but a strong defensive performance from Sweden led the world champions into the tournament's first extra-time and penalty shootout.

Megan Rapinoe, undoubtedly, will feel the pain the most. The US soccer legend announced her retirement from the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) at the end of the 2023 season, which means this might be her final match for the US national team. Rapinoe came in as a substitute in the second half against Sweden but failed to convert her penalty in the shootout.

Sweden's goalkeeper heroics send them to the quarter-finals

Goalkeeper Zećira Mušović kept Sweden in the game with a series of stunning saves during regular and extra time, thwarting the USWNT. Both teams failed to score in the first 90 minutes, and the score remained 0-0 after 30 minutes of extra time. Both teams had three shots each and were tied after five penalties.

Sudden death saw Sweden and the USWNT both score a goal before Kelley O'Hara hit the post. Lina Hurtig of Sweden then took her shot, and while USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher got a touch to it, goal-line technology confirmed that the ball had over the line, giving Sweden the crucial victory.

The USWNT is still one of the finest teams in the world. If this event had taken place a week or two later, when Rose Lavelle had completely recovered, the Americans would still be competing. And most likely competing for the championship. Over the last decade, the world has been gaining on the USWNT, slowly at first and then at breakneck pace, and the awe and horror with which the squad used to strike is no longer present. The Americans were not only eliminated early, but they were also bossed around in the last group game by a Portugal squad making its World Cup debut, and owned - once again - by Sweden.

Here's how fans reacted

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