Huge Upset At FIFA Women's World Cup! Four-Time Winners And Defending Champions USA Knocked Out By Sweden In Round Of 16

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: USA had reached the semis in each of the last eight World Cups and never finished lower than third place but lost 5-4 on penalties on Sunday (August 6).

United States players including Sophia Smith #11, Megan Rapinoe #15, and Lindsey Horan #10 react after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and the United States at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia.

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In a dramatic turn of events at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, defending champions USA have been knocked out of Sweden in the round of 16 fixture in Melbourne, Australia. Sweden registered a win over United States in a match that went down to a tensed penaty shootout after there the match had remained goalless for 120 minutes of play. In the penalty shootout though, it was Sweden who ultimately emerged victorious, beating US 5-4 on penalties. 

Lina Hurtig of Sweden turned out to be the one of the biggest star of the match as she scored the decisive goal which meant Sweden had just edged past the most successful team in the history of the tournament. Even though United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher got a touch on the ball, Hurtig's shot had enough power in it to take it past the line that mattered by less than an inch, something which had to be confirmed after several reviews.

Sports was once again at its levelling and humbling best as t he US Women's National team's greatest match winner from their FIFA Women's World Cup-winning team in 2019, Megan Rapinoe, encountered a forgettable night missing out on the penalty kick when her team needed her to step and score. The final result eventually means that Sweden will now face Japan in the quarterfinals in Auckland. 

The result is a massive upset in FIFA Women's World Cup as USA had reached the semis in each of the last eight World Cups and never finished lower than third place. Moreover, they were being touted as one of the favourites for a third back-to-back World Cup title, a feat which hasn't yet been achieved in either the Men's or Women's World Cup but that opportunity has been wasted.

Other than Hurtig who scored under immense pressure, Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic deserves a special mention for making11 saves out of the 22 shots taken by the US side who were the dominant team in terms of possession but just couldn't score in the regulation time despite coming close on quite a few occasions.