Thank you so much for joining me for this dramatic match! The US had all the chances in normal and extra time, with Horan a particular threat, but Musovic kept them out to send it to a shootout. The US’ Smith had the chance to send her team to the quarters but couldn’t slot the penalty and in the end Hurtig came up with the deciding take. The first time the US reach at least the semi-finals. The earliest a defending champion has gone out. It’s Sweden’s day, have a read of our report:
England play tomorrow, which we will have live coverage for, read this as prep:
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After her heroics it is Musovic who has been named Player of the Match:
Just look at the scenes when referee Stephanie Frappart told Sweden Hurtig’s penalty was scored:
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Musovic made 11 saves in the game, 11! Here is one such save, one of her best of the evening (it is a clip from ITV and so some may not have access):
Zećira Mušović keeps out Alex Morgan in the 89th minute 😧#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/umNkfWfwW7
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 6, 2023
Nicholas has got in touch and makes a good point: “You write that it was a controversial end to the game but what was controversial about it? Dramatic certainly but not controversial surely? All thanks to goal line technology (there would no doubt been lots of controversy if there hadn’t been goal line technology).” I agree, apologies all. Dramatic end indeed!
The USA’s lack of clinical edge to convert their chances have cost them. They have played four matches at this World Cup and the opposition have only had two shots on target – yet they are heading home. They have also only scored four goals in open play despite having 27 shots on target.
Even Beth Mead can’t believe what has just happened!
Talk about small margins, not even a hair between 😳 pic.twitter.com/5UIym41oi2
— Beth Mead MBE (@bmeado9) August 6, 2023
Liisa with a critical assessment of the shootout: “Naeher is USA’s best shooter. says it all.” The goalkeeper took a strong penalty but I think Sullivan and Mewis were good takers too.
Have a watch of the controversial end to this game:
LINA HURTIG KNOCKS OUT THE WORLD CHAMPIONS IN DRAMATIC FASHION!#SWE condemn #USA to their earliest-ever #FIFAWWC exit! pic.twitter.com/QxYB69wLaG
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 6, 2023
USA co-captain Lindsey Horan has said: “First and foremost I am so proud of the team, a lot went into this performance. We went out and did it, I think we played beautiful football today. We created chances but didn’t score. Penalties suck, they are cruel. I am proud of every player who stepped up today, it is courage to take one. Being able to come out of group stage where we didn’t perform our best and coming out today [and performing well]."
Let’s have a word on Sweden. Their play throughout normal time and extra time was lacklustre – no real attacking threat. It was a superb performance by Musovic to keep Sweden in the fight with saves against Horan and Morgan the highlights. Then in the shooutout Bennison has to have a shout out. The 20-year-old stepped up knowing she had to score to keep Sweden in it and she took her penalty well with control. And of course Hurtig, her penalty wasn’t an amazing one but it got the job done!
The missed penalty from Rapinoe is her last touch of a ball in a US shirt. She is retiring at the end of the National Women’s Soccer League season this year.
Andonovski’s subs have been under the microscope all tournament and they will be again now with the shootout. Alex Morgan, who would have taken a penalty, was subbed for Megan Rapinoe who eventually missed a penalty. Kelley O’Hara was brought on just to take a pen and she missed.
Sweden will play Japan in the quarter-final, they will need to do much better in open play because Japan will most definitely convert some chances.
This is a screenshot of when Hurtig’s penalty crossed the line:
Alyssa Naeher nearly kept it out 🧤 pic.twitter.com/DjpatlgCKD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 6, 2023
US head coach Vlatko Andonovski had received a lot of criticism and was under pressure in this match. Will he get his marching orders? Henry thinks so: “I expected the US to go out after being outplayed, but to go out like this hurts even more! Painful. I look forward to a new coach.”
The US were under so much pressure to perform in this match. Their group performances were poor but the match today saw the US play really well but thanks to Musovic’s amazing saves and a lack of clinical edge couldn’t see them punish Sweden.
The US are out. The earliest exit for the US, the defending champions are knocked out. The US’ big players couldn’t step up. Rapinoe and O’Hara miss – remember Smith had a penalty to win this shootout but Sweden clawed their way back in.
I’ve just seen the replay, Hurtig’s effort was strongly saved. She pushed it up and comes back toward goal and the whole ball it over the line before she can scoop it away.
The referee had word from VAR on that decision, Naeher went the right way but she spilled the ball and it was over. Sweden run and swarm Hurtig, the Swedish hero!
SWEDEN ARE THROUGH! US ARE OUT!
Hurtig’s pen was saved but Naeher loses control and it’s over! VAR decides it. The holders are out.
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O’Hara misses! Sweden 4-4 USA
O’Hara is up next and she was another late sub. She takes a step and it sees Musovic go early and the wrong way. O’Hara just needs to hit it calmly but she hits the right post!
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Eriksson scores! Sweden 4-4 USA
Eriksson steps up, the defender scores. God I’m nervous!!
Naeher scores! Sweden 3-4 USA
Naeher is stepping up! The commentators are dubious about the goalkeeper stepping up for the sixth pen but she sends her opposite number the wrong way and scores, what a moment.
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Bennison scores! Sweden 3-3 USA
Bennison has to score here and she does it! What a penalty. She takes a breath, strides up and smashes it into the top net. Naeher went the wrong way, a great take.
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Smith misses! Sweden 2-3 USA
Oh my word Smith misses! That would have put them in the quarter! She takes a breath but her connection isn’t great and it is over the bar.
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Blomqvist misses! Sweden 2-3 USA
Blomqvist has a strong effort but it’s saved! Really well read by Naeher there and she goes the right way to keep it out.
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Rapinoe misses! Sweden 2-3 USA
Rapinoe is on the spot now, WHAT?! She takes a breath, it takes a strange contact with her boot and it’s over the bar. Oh no Rapinoe. She smiles to herself as she walks back to her team.
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Bjorn misses! Sweden 2-3 USA
Bjorn up next but she does not look confident. She looks quite nervous and the defender puts it over the bar. It is an awful miss but her head was not in it.
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Mewis scores! Sweden 2-3 USA
Mewis, this will be her first touch I think. So much pressure but she scores down the middle. She has a roar in celebration.
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Rubensson scores! Sweden 2-2 USA
Rubensson is up next and it’s clean.
Horan scores! Sweden 1-2 USA
Horan next, she missed a penalty in the WCL quarter. This time she slots it home.
Rolfo scores! Sweden 1-1 USA
Rolfo the first for Sweden, she is smiling as she walks. And it’s in! She launches it at the right corner, Naeher goes the right way but Rolfo has too much power on it to be denied.
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Sullivan scores! Sweden 0-1 USA
Sullivan is the first taker, she looks calm. And it’s perfect! A roar from Sullivan as she converts under a lot of pressure.
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My heart is pounding! How are the players feeling?! It is The US to take first.
So penalties are here, I think the US are taking first – will confirm
Have a read of this before the shootout:
Extra time full time! Sweden 0-0 USA
Penalties it is! Who can win this? The shootout to come, nerves are real.
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120 + 1 min: Sonnett and Fox are on for Mewis and O’Hara. Interesting to bring them on so late, could have given them some minutes. One minute added.
120 min: The delivery is good but the US do well to clear it. The US look like they are going to bring some players on ahead of pens.
119 min: Smith makes a great cross but again no one is there to have the last shot. Ertz gets a yellow card for taking a player off the ball, Sweden have a free kick – feels like their last chance to score.
118 min: Rapinoe takes it but it’s a poor delivery again from her and it’s cleared.
117 min: You would fancy Musovic in the penalty shootout after a great performance so far but a shootout is a different beast. The US have a great cross but it evades the three players waiting. Fox wins a free kick!
116 min: Fox with a good cross but no one is there to pick it up. Andersson is down now, maybe with cramp? I think she is okay to continue. Rapinoe fouls Bennison and Sweden can clear their lines – it’s clear the US want to find a winner and Sweden seem to be holding on for pens.
114 min: Is anyone else getting nervous? I can’t imagine what the Sweden and US fans are feeling! The US have a free kick and Ertz plays it short to Fox but a resulting pass is out and the chance is gone. Fox is down, she gets back to her feet and doesn’t need treatment but that looks like a sore one.
112 min: Smith seems to dive in the box as she is tackled and no penalty is given. The US come again and Dunn has a great cross but it’s cleared and then Williams’ shot is easily collected by Musovic. Sweden are making a change with Blackstenius off for Blomqvist.
110 min: Horan pops in a long pass to Williams but it has too much on it and it’s out for a goal kick. Brian has got in touch and said: “IF this game goes to pens, the weight of expectation (and very hot Swedish keeper) could sink USA”. I agree, despite their pressure anyone could win this!
108 min: Rapinoe has it in but Ertz slips, she is back up but her shot isn’t clean and Musovic collects.
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107 min: Smith takes a great touch but Musovic has cat-like reflexes to push it out for a corner – this keeper!!
107 min: Dunn is fouled by Jakobsson and the US build from deep. Jakobsson has a high boot on Sonnett, some frustration coming through here.
Back underway! Sweden 0-0 USA
Well we are 15 minutes away from penalties! Will there be a winner? I’m nervous!
Justin has emailed and said: “A frustrated dominance, a Swedish keeper playing a blinder, and a tournament notable for its penalty misses. The omens don’t look good for the USA.” The US are the team who look likely to score here though, Sweden will be holding on for penalties I think.
Extra time half time! Sweden 0-0 USA
No break through yet!
105 + 1 min: There will be one minute added.
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105 min: Rolfo is swarmed on the edge of the box and she can’t get anything from the chance.
104 min: Blackstenius is fouled and Sweden have a free kick close to halfway. They will try and pop this into the box though and it’s a good delivery but Naeher again punches away. The quality of goalkeeping in this match is incredible.
103 min: Rapinoe takes the corner but Blackstenius sees it out for another corner. It’s whipped in but it hits the side netting, a few poor deliveries from Rapinoe.
102 min: Rapinoe is being given acres of space but the US can’t find her, Sonnett is crowded out. Eventually they pick out Rapinoe but her touch is too heavy. OH MY GOODNESS! Musovic saves, it comes back out and if Rapinoe was in a better position she would have had that in! Horan then has a shot and Musovic saves again – corner to come.
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100 min: Smith’s shot is blocked and Sullivan’s is over the bar! The US make a change and it’s Rapinoe who comes on for Morgan.
98 min: Angeldahl is coming off and Bennison is on. Sullivan takes the corner but it’s cleared easily.
97 min: Morgan does well to win the ball in the box and Musovic makes another great save, she does concede a corner though. Angeldahl is down injured, a slight break in play before the corner.
96 min: Some good build-up play from the US and Sullivan crosses but it’s got too much on it for Smith to capitalise.
94 min: Sweden look the brighter at the moment, Jakobsson crosses in again but it’s cleared. The ball comes in again, Hurtig leaps for it and clashes with Naeher, Hurtig wants a foul but it’s not given.
92 min: Jakobsson crosses in but it’s cleared, the US peel away but Williams’ long range pass is straight at Musovic.
Extra time kick off! Sweden 0-0 USA
We are off again! Will a winner be found? Or will we have penalties? We will soon find out!
Mary has got in touch and said: “If the USWNT was playing on a computer simulation the “talent on paper” line would make sense. So far, in this journey, whatever their individual talent is means nothing. It is about tactics, and teamwork, and they have shown little of either so far. They might be able to turns things around, they have shown some skills in this half, but the US juggernaut of the past has not appeared so far. Hoping we can pull this out but I am not betting on it.” Something to note also though is that other teams have also improved. The US capable of winning this game and look more likely to find a winner.
Full time! Sweden 0-0 USA
And so we go to extra time! The US definitely the stronger team throughout this match but they haven’t converted with Musovic making some monster saves.
90 + 1 min: Williams pops it in and finds Morgan’s head again but Musovic collects. There will be two minutes added.
90 min: MUSOVIC! Another fantastic save from the keeper – Morgan has a bullet of a header but she punches away. Wow!
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89 min: Andersson‘s delivery is good but Naeher again punches away – the keeper has dealt with these corners so well – and Sweden can’t convert the rebound.
88 min: Can anyone find a normal time winner? Horan tries to find it with a great ball but no one makes a run to connect with it. Sweden now with the throw in and they win a corner! This could be it.
86 min: Fox’s pass is cut out by Ilestedt and it’s a poor pass to Hurtig which sees US intercept and counter. They thread the ball to Morgan, whose shot it off target – she was offside regardless. Jakobsson gets the ball in the box and what a hit! It has so much power but Naeher does well to stop it.
84 min: Asllani surely would have been a penalty taker for Sweden, if we get to that, and so the replacement is interesting. The game has stalled a little at the moment.
82 min: Girma passes a great ball to Smith but Musovic collects the shot. Sweden on the attack now but Blackstenius is crowded in the box and her shot is blocked. Sweden make two changes with Kaneryd and Asllani are off for Hurtig and Jakobsson.
80 min: Williams with a great run again, the sub has been good since coming on. She does lose out as she is about to cross and Rolfo can clear. Blackstenius has her hands in the air as she thinks Ertz held her but the referee doesn’t give anything.
78 min: Boos come again as Girma wins a throw in, Sweden thought that was theirs. Dunn then sees it out for a goal kick.
76 min: Sweden have some great play but Kaneryd’s cross only finds a US boot. The US then create some attack, Williams with a great run but Sonnett’s shot is over the bar.
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74 min: Williams makes a great run and a cross, a great delivery but no one is there to turn it goalward. Williams comes again, a lovely link up with Morgan but Ilestedt clears – a great intervention from the defender.
72 min: Angeldahl wins a free kick on halfway but Sweden have players forward here. They pop it into the box, they win the first header but Fox clears. Sweden want a free kick on the edge of the box but it isn’t given. Dunn does really well to win it back.
70 min: She is okay to continue – good news as she’s been an asset to this game.
69 min: Horan is down injured here, Angeldahl’s studs clipped her knee. This is a player the US will want back up.
68 min: Asllani is over the ball, it’s a great delivery but Naeher watches it all the way and collects – really good from the keeper.
67 min: Angeldahl wins a free kick after a foul from Morgan – a good spot for Sweden to launch an attack.
66 min: Sweden with some build-up play but Girma does well to clear a chance and to not concede a corner. The US are making a change, Rodman is off for Williams – I’m a bit shocked as Rodman has played well.
64 min: Morgan gets a cross in but Eriksson clears, it feels a matter of time until the US score. MUSOVIC! Smith gets into the box and the keeper matches her, Smith’s touch was heavy but again the keeper does well – Sweden’s best player.
62 min: Okay Sweden, threading some nice passes together. But Angeldahl’s shot outside the box is blocked. Asllani tries to thread it in but Girma reads it perfectly to clear. Boos rain down as Blackstenius was fouled by Ertz and a free kick wasn’t given.
60 min: It’s still all the US, I’m trying to find something to say about Sweden but all they are doing is defending – the US all over them. Fox has the latest cross but it hits the side netting.
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58 min: Horan screams in frustration as another shot is wide. The US are able to undo the Swedish midfield so easily at the moment.
56 min: Rolfo gets the ball in but Asllani can’t get a head to it. Bjorn pops it in but Naeher reads it well and collects.
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55 min: It is whipped in again and it’s Musovic to the rescue again as she punches clear. The US double down on the pressure but the keeper does enough to keep it out. Huge from Musovic.
54 min: WHAT A SAVE!! Musovic take a bow, Horan has a delightful shot but the Chelsea keeper reads it so well and sees it out for a corner.
53 min: Sullivan whips the ball in but Musovic punches away but the US keep crossing in, Sweden doing enough so far to keep them out.
52 min: Rodman, who looks so good every time she is on the ball, gets in the box and Andersson has to concede a corner to stop her.
52 min: Rolfo does well to muscle Horan off the ball and draw a foul. They thread the ball through but Kaneryd’s pass has too much on it. Blackstenius pressures Naeher as she clears – the Arsenal player has hardly been in this match.
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50 min: Despite Sweden’s lack of attack, Kari thinks they will get a winner, he said: “Sweden got into good crossing positions several times during but the cross was either wayward or the chance got lost in hesitation. Surely players of the quality of Asllani, Rolfo and Kaneryd will eventually get a cross to Blackstenius, and she doesn’t need many chances.” Ertz is fouled by Asllani and the US can clear. Asllani receives a yellow card.
48 min: A long pass just goes to Naeher, no pressure from Sweden yet. Angeldahl tries to find Kaneryd but it’s out of play.
47 min: Very scrappy in the early stages of this second half, possession exchanging hands quickly. Sweden with the ball now.
Back underway! Sweden 0-0 USA
This game is into it’s second half, we could be heading to extra time!
Have a read of this before the second half:
Sweden only had three touches in the US’ box in that first half! Can you see either team getting a normal time winner?
Iggy has got in touch and had their say on why the US weren’t affective in the group stage: “The United States squad has been poor in the group phase. It honestly looked like youth soccer tactically in that 3rd group stage game. They had a strong team for years, based largely on their athleticism as the rest of the world hadn’t yet caught up by investing the resources in youth academies. I feel a number of the now classic top teams that are struggling are in various forms of this kind of rebuild as you cannot cut it now on pure athleticism. The other difficulty with the US squad is the coaching, the tactical plan sees far too many straight forward low-percentage shots. The substitutions have been quite puzzling such as bringing on ineffectual veterans and not using the massive depth of youth this squad has to offer.”
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An update from the England camp! Sarina Wiegman has said Keira Walsh is available for their last 16 match: “She’s doing well. She started her rehab straight after we knew what was going on. She has been on the pitch training today, so now we will wait to see how she recovers and if she does well then she will be available for tomorrow.”
Half time! Sweden 0-0 USA
The US have been the better side in this first 45 with Horan’s header the closest shot. But they have not converted their chances and the deadlock remains.
45 + 1 min: Andersson receives some treatment, I think she is okay to continue. There is two minutes added.
45 min: Morgan has too much on her pass and it’s straight through to Musovic. Andersson is down after being hit in the face on the build-up to that chance.
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44 min: Smith plays the corner short and it eventually comes into the box, Musovic does well to deny Morgan and the US doesn’t get on the rebound.
42 min: Rodman and Horan link, Horan pops it in but Eriksson heads it out for a corner.
41 min: Dunn makes a great run and the US must see a weakness in Sweden with a long ball forward as they play it again but Dunn can’t keep it in.
39 min: Smith plays it short and it looks like a move from the training ground but it’s cleared, they get it back into the box but they are offside. Sweden have not had an attack in a long time, they need to create something or the momentum will belong to the US.
38 min: The US are relentless right now, Rodman gets in the box but it’s out for a corner.
38 min: Musovic reads a play well to come out of goal to collect a ball heading for Girma.
36 min: Musovic looks in pain after reaching for the ball from Horan, she grimaced as she kicked the ball away – she would be a huge miss if she has to go off but she is okay to continue for now.
35 min: OH MY! That was so close, the ball is whipped to Horan, she gets a head to it but it smacks the bar! Musovic would have been there if it was on target, best chance so far.
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34 min: Rolfo stays on the ground for a moment after a tackle, no foul given and she is back to her feet. Smith tries to find Morgan but Sweden manage to muscle them off the ball – it’s such a cagey game so far with both teams able to see how good both are on the break. Rodman – who is having a great match – wins a corner.
32 min: Eriksson does really well to head a ball away in the box which was destined for Horan, that would have been a great chance.
30 min: An absolutely lovely link up with Rodman sees her have another shot but it is way over the bar. Angeldahl again gives a ball away and Smith is played in the box, she does so well to keep it alive but she’s boxed out. Sweden now counter but Blackstenius can’t get a shot away. Henry has emailed and said: “It seems unfair to compare them to the wonderfully cohesive Japanese team....but the difference between them and the US in terms of cohesion and coaching is stark. The Americans show little cohesion either on the counter, or when simply trying to keep possession. Given the overall level of the Americans, surely that has to be a coaching problem more than anything?” The team is also in transition but Vlatko is under a lot of pressure.
28 min: Angeldahl with an awful pass and the US can attack here, Rodman rallies a great shot but Musovic pushes away – the US can’t do anything with the rebound.
26 min: Rodman was in some pain but didn’t need any treatment and she is okay to continue. During the time she was on the ground Vlatko Andonovski has a word with Smith – I’d love to know what he said!
24 min: No they can’t! Andersson takes the free kick and it pinballs around but it’s cleared. Eriksson gives away a free kick with a foul on Rodman and the US can clear the pressure. Rodman has stayed down after the foul.
23 min: Asllani is fouled and Sweden have a free kick in a great position. Can they find an opener?
22 min: Andersson whips it in and Naeher pushes it away again – the keeper doing well under this pressure from Sweden’s strongest asset.
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21 min: Sweden have lovely build-up but they don’t get the shot away quickly enough and Ertz blocks the shot that eventually comes. They come again and it is Ertz who blocks – she concedes a corner.
20 min: Musovic makes a save with Rodman taking a shot from outside the box, first one to challenge the Swedish keeper.
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18 min: Here come the US again, Horan tries to feed Smith but it’s well blocked. The US are growing in this, Sweden’s early dominance fading slightly. Rodman has it in the box again but it doesn’t reach Fox.
16 min: Smith and Morgan link up again to create the US’ latest attack – Eriksson plays a risky clear but Andersson wins a foul and Sweden can clear.
14 min: The US thread a few passes together but then Angeldahl is fouled. A little scrappy so far with the US winning it back. A lovely pass from Smith to Morgan, she crosses it but it doesn’t find a teammate – the link between Morgan and Smith is working really well so far.
12 min: The US look a bit rushed when on the ball while Sweden are more controlled and patient. Just as I type that Sweden see it out of play – always the way! Sullivan does well to win a foul from Asllani.
10 min: Andersson has a great delivery but Naeher punches away to clear.
9 min: Sweden taking the sting out of this one temporarily as they are patient on the ball in the back line. Angeldahl passes to Kaneryd who wins a corner – Sweden have been so strong from these set pieces.
8 min: The US have had some sustained time on the ball but they can’t get it beyond the midfield. Possession exchanges hands and the US have a good play into the box – five Sweden players swarm Smith to prevent a shot but it comes to Sullivan whose effort is wide.
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6 min: Sweden are being allowed more space on the ball at the moment, it’s allowing them to run it through the team. Kaneryd gets a good cross but none of her teammates were there to receive it.
4 min: Smith breaks and passes a peach of a ball to Morgan but a touch too many in the box from the US co-captain. Maybe she should have passed earlier. Sweden then get the ball up the other end and Asllani again gets it in but they are crowded out, a lively start.
2 min: Both teams finding their feet in this one with some scrappy midfield play, Asllani pings the ball in but the US clear.
Kick off! Sweden 0-0 USA
Here we go then! This game is underway.
If this game is level after 90 minutes we will be heading to extra time and then penalties! A huge game ahead.
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The players will be out shortly and the anthems will follow. Can Sweden knock-out the defending champions? Or will the US find their form? All to come …
The US’ Girma, Horan and Smith and Sweden’s Schough have all received a yellow card so far at this World Cup which means if they get a card in today’s game, if they go through, they will miss the quarter-final. One to keep an eye on.
After their underwhelming start to this World Cup the US are probably not favourites to win this match. However, while Sweden’s set pieces have been impressive their open play has not been the best the tournament has seen so far. I think it will be a really close encounter.
A good feature for this match:
Some good news for England fans as Keira Walsh was in full training ahead of their lat 16 match against Nigeria tomorrow:
All 23 players are out for training today at Central Coast Stadium. 💪 pic.twitter.com/PUo3e7gUvq
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 6, 2023
Kurt has emailed and said: “Why has the USWNT played so mediocre at this Women’s World Cup?” Honestly I don’t know if we have enough time on this blog to get to the bottom of this answer! I think their game plans just aren’t coming together and there has been a lot of talk about the lack of substitutions – they have a great strength in depth and should use it more. If anyone else wants to get in touch you can reach me via Twitter or email.
Here’s a piece to get your teeth into!
As a fire alarm echoed throughout Eden Park on Tuesday night and the public-address system asked everyone to evacuate, most of the crowd of 42,000 stayed in their seats in confusion. It turned out to be a false alarm, and almost too fitting a metaphor for a night to forget for the United States.
A scoreless draw with Portugal secured the defending champions a place in the knockout rounds. That was an outcome widely expected by most of the world prior to the tournament. How the US got there, however, could be generously described as a grind.
Something clearly needs to change for the US. The Americans possess the individual talent to perform far better than they have thus far. Among the necessary changes is the relatively simple: be more clinical in front of goal. Dig into how those chances will be created though, and things get more complicated.
You can read the full article below:
A fact for you:
Sarina Wiegman is now the only female coach whose team is still left in this #FIFAWWC and we haven't finished the round of 16 yet #Lionesses
— Tom Garry (@TomJGarry) August 6, 2023
Sweden make nine changes from their last match against Argentina. Falk, Lennartsson, Sandberg, Bennison, Seger, Jakobsson, Janogy, Schough and Blomqvist are replaced by Musovic, Bjorn, Andersson, Rubensson, Angeldahl, Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo and Blackstenius.
The US, meanwhile, make two changes with Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett starting in place of Rose Lavelle (who is suspended for accumulated yellow cards) and Lynn Williams.
The team news is in!
US starting XI: Naeher - Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn - Sonnett, Sullivan - Rodman, Horan, Smith - Morgan
The Round of 16 XI 🇺🇸#USWNT x @Visa pic.twitter.com/ImXEf9FcAJ
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 6, 2023
Sweden starting XI: Musovic - Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson - Rubensson, Angeldahl - Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo - Blackstenius
I will update you on any changes from their last games next.
Earlier today the Netherlands booked their spot in the quarter-finals where they will play Spain:
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to Sweden v USA where both will be battling it out for a spot on the quarter-finals. The US are attempting to win the World Cup for the third time in a row but have not shown the usual high quality fans would expect.
It has been an underwhelming outing for the back-to-back champions thus far with dejected expressions shown on their faces after a 0-0 draw with Portugal saw them through to the knock-out stages. It was the first time they had not at least won two of their group stage matches.
Sweden, meanwhile, have been deadly from the set piece – especially through Amanda Ilestedt. The team have looked threatening throughout but are also vulnerable as South Africa went 1-0 up against them in the group stage.
Before anything else though the team news will be announced, stay tuned for updates.
