Megan Rapinoe slammed for laughing in emotional post-match interview after miss
USA fans have expressed their anger at Megan Rapinoe following her post-match interview after the team were knocked out of the Women's World Cup by Sweden. The USWNT were defeated after a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout which saw the winning penalty awarded by a tight VAR call.
The Round of 16 game went the distance after both teams failed to score during both full time and extra time. With the dreaded penalty shootout following both teams struggled to hit the mark after five initially well taken penalties.
Veteran forward Rapinoe was the first American player to miss, and she who could be seen appearing to smile after sending her penalty well wide of the target. The forward was then among several players reduced to tears after the defeat was confirmed.
The 38-year-old was interviewed by FOX moments after the winning goal, converted by Sweden's Lina Hurtig and eventually awarded by referee Stephanie Frappart. "I thought we played really well, I am so happy for us that we went out playing the way that we did," she said.
"This is dark comedy, I missed a penalty. This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game.
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"I feel really grateful and joyful and I know this is the end and that is sad. This is the only time I have been in one of these (losing on penalties at a World Cup) – it has been an honour."
Megan Rapinoe was smiling after missing her penalty against Sweden (Photo by Alex Pantling - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)Following the interview she was then asked about smiling after the missed penalty. "It's a sick, sick joke. I've never hit it over, when I miss they are saved."
Despite her comments fans were quick to slam the forward on Twitter. One user posted: "I dont understand the Rapinoe laughing at the interview" with another adding: "'I’m so happy for us that we went out like that' An actual quote from Megan Rapinoe after the worst performance I’ve ever seen from a USWNT player Get out of this squad forever. You’re done. Disgraceful."
Others were seen agreeing: "Jesus Christ this interview can’t be real… she’s happy?!?!? What a damn shame."
However, not all fans were left angered. "ICON. In every sense of the word." one fan tweeted, as another agreed: "Megan Rapinoe has three gold medals already. She succeeded at the highest levels of her profession. She will be fine."
Including Rapinoe's miss, five out of the 14 penalties failed to hit the back of the net with the USA players missing three of their kicks. Sophia Smith had the chance to win the shootout at 4-2 but missed the target. Kelley O'Hara also missed from the spot, allowing Hurtig to convert the winning goal.
The shot was initially saved by Alyssa Naeher, who also took and scored a penalty, but was deemed to have crossed the line. Following the defeat Rapinoe was seen in tears was consoled by her teammates after what would be her last game for the USWNT.
The result left the USWNT with their worst ever finish at a World Cup. It also means Sweden will face Japan on Friday Aug. 11 in the quarter finals while USA players are left to reflect on what might have been.
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