World Cup decision by VAR
Penalty drama: US superstars fail their nerves
8/6/2023 1:54 p.m
What an unbelievable end to the World Cup Round of 16 between Sweden and the USA: The Americans dominate the game and keep failing due to the outstanding goalkeeper. The decision is made in a penalty shootout. Even the VAR has to intervene on the last shot.
Historic bankruptcy for the women’s soccer team in the USA: After almost being eliminated in the preliminary round, the big favorite and defending champion failed spectacularly to Sweden in the round of 16 of the World Cup, to be precise, due to the goalkeeper of the Scandinavians and his own weakness in the final. Zecira Musovic stole the Americans’ nerves several times with almost unbelievable saves in 120 goalless minutes, then they failed in the 4: 5 on penalties.
Several dramas played out in the duel from the point. First, Sophia Smith missed a match ball to win after two missed shots by the Swedes. Shortly thereafter, star player Kelly O’Hara hit the post. Previously, legend Megan Rapinoe had blundered and shot the ball over the goal. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher only repelled the decisive shot by Lina Hurtig when the ball had crossed the line by millimeters – the Swedes only cheered after video evidence.
Disaster for the US team
For the USA, the early exit is a disaster. They have been Olympic champions four times, world champions four times, and have always finished at least third place in the eight finals so far. Because they couldn’t get past Musovic despite a wealth of the best chances, the Swedes, who came second at the Olympics, will now play against the previously convincing Japanese in Auckland on Friday.
The fact that the USA could still talk about the title at all was thanks to a post in Auckland’s Eden Park. That’s where the ball flew in stoppage time in the 0-0 draw in the last group game against Portugal – if they had lost, the favorites would have been out there by now. Previously there had been an unconvincing 3-0 win against Vietnam and a 0-0 draw against the Netherlands.
Musovic again and again Musovic
As if they wanted to teach all the critics better, the US women stormed the Swedish goal from the start – and failed again and again to Musovic. The 27-year-old from Chelsea put in a world-class performance, responding particularly well to big chances from Lindsey Horan (35’/53′), Alex Morgan (89’/96′) and Lynn Williams (102′).
The Swedes, who convincingly finished the preliminary round with three wins, had Musovic to thank for being spared a debacle. Only after a good hour did the Scandinavians come into play a little better. However, it was not until the 85th minute that substitute Sofia Jakobsson fired the first shot at the USA goal.