Women's World Cup - USA out after penalty shootout loss to Sweden

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Thank you for joining us for another day of World Cup action.

We'll be back tomorrow to bring you all the updates from England's Round of 16 clash with Nigeria.

FIFA show image of VAR decision

The USWNT crashed out the 2023 Women’s World Cup on penalties as VAR revealed just how close the margin was as the Sweden penalty crossed the line, writes Andrew Gamble.

Sweden came into the heavyweight contest with a 100 percent record of three wins from three in the group stage. and with victory over the US from the last high profile encounter between the teams at the Olympics in 2021.

Meanwhile, the USWNT had won their opening game against Vietnam but drew with the Netherlands and Portugal on their way to edging into the Round of 16. It was a nervy - and controversial - tournament for the reigning back-to-back world champions - and their exit was confirmed in brutal circumstances.

You can read the full story here.

USA show class

The USWNT showed their class after exiting the Women’s World Cup at the hands of Sweden, writes Mark Wakefield.

The US Women were held to a goalless draw with Sweden in the round of 16 clash on Sunday. The game ended in a goalless draw after 90 minutes and proceeded to extra time, with a penalty shootout needed to decide the winner.

Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O’Hara all missed their spot-kicks in the shootout. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher even stepped up to score from the spot during the shootout, but could not prevent her country losing 5-4 to exit the competition.

You can read the full story here.

Man Utd boss Skinner sends firm message to Arsenal over Russo contract saga

Alyssa Naeher was consoled by her teammates after the USWNT lost to Sweden (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

England players close to suspension

Three England players will be at risk of missing a potential quarter-final clash through suspension if they're to pick up a booking against Nigeria tomorrow.

• Lucy Bronze
• Lauren Hemp
• Georgia Stanway

Lucy Bronze of England looks on following the 6-1 win over China (Photo by Naomi Baker)

ICYMI: Keira Walsh hands England major fitness boost ahead of World Cup knockout clash with Nigeria

Keira Walsh has returned to full training to hand England a major fitness boost ahead of the World Cup knockout stage, writes Jack Lacey-Hatton.

Walsh, 26, was stretchered off during the 1-0 win over Denmark in Sydney, England's second game at the tournament, just over a week ago.

But ahead of Monday's round of 16 clash with Nigeria, Walsh has returned to full training at the team base camp, in welcome news for manager Sarina Wiegman.

Read here.

Safe hands

Goalkeepers secured the POTM award for both round of 16 games today!

Daphne van Domselaar put in a solid performance to help the Netherlands overcome South Africa in the earlier kick-off before Zecira Musovic's heroics helped Sweden to a historic win over the current champions USA.

Today's results

• Netherlands 2-0 South Africa
• Sweden 0-0 USA (Sweden progress 5-4 on penalties)

Nigeria ready for Walsh return

With the USA out of the World Cup, all eyes are now on England, who take on Nigeria on Monday.

And Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum says his side will be ready for a potential Keira Walsh return when facing the Lionesses in the last 16.

The Super Falcons boss is readying his side for a knock-out clash with the European Champions in Brisbane on Monday, having already escaped the tournament’s Group of Death. England have been handed a huge boost with star midfielder Keira Walsh returning to full training.

You can read the full story from Jack Lacey-Hatton here.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Randy Waldrum, Head Coach of Nigeria, speaks to the media during a Nigeria Press Conference at Brisbane Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Brisbane / Meaanjin, Australia. (Photo by Elsa - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

"It's selfish to think about me" - Andonovski

Football can be a cruel mistress at times. There's already been plenty of debate over whether Vlatko Andonovski should continue as USA manager.

When asked about his future after the game, Andonovski said: "I think it’s selfish to think about me, my future.

"I love them all. They’re my players but they're my friends."

"We deserved more" - Andonovski

Vlatko Andonovski has been speaking to the media following his side's World Cup exit.

"I thought we deserved more," he said.

"We deserved to win the game, we created enough chances to win the game."

Vlatko Andonovski, Head Coach of USA, reacts (Photo by Alex Grimm - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Heartbreak for Rapinoe

Heartbreak for Megan Rapinoe in her final World Cup appearance.

Megan Rapinoe of USA missed her team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out (Photo by Alex Grimm - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

"I'm proud of the team" - Horan

USA captain Lindsey Horan has been speaking to ITV Sport after the game.

"First and foremost I’m proud of the team," she said.

"I think we played beautiful football today. We created chances but we didn’t score."

Millie Bright gives verdict on how the Women's World Cup has changed in last four years

England captain Millie Bright says the women’s game has “gone to a new level” at the 2023 World Cup, writes Jack Lacey-Hatton.

During the group stage of the tournament three top-10 ranked sides, Germany, Brazil and Canada, were all eliminated. Meanwhile three of the sides in the last 16 have never previously advanced beyond the group stage.

Bright, who is back to full fitness after a knee injury threatened her participation, believes this tournament provides the best evidence yet that the gap at the top of women’s football is narrowing.

Read the story here.

Look what it means

Look what it means to these Sweden players.

They'll play Japan in the last quarter-finals.

Sweden players celebrate the team's victory (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Heartbreak for USA

That's the earliest the USA have ever crashed out of the tournament.

A humbling for the reigning champions.

HURTIG SENDS SWEDEN THROUGH

What a dramatic finish in Melbourne.

Lina Hurtig's penalty looks to have been saved by Naeher but the ball had already crossed the line.

Sweden are through to the last eight.

O'HARA MISSES

O'Hara hits the post!!!

Sweden have the chance to win this now...

Eriksson scores

A lovely penalty from Magda Eriksson.

4-4

Naeher scores

Naeher steps up and scores to make it 4-3 USA in the shootout.

Bennison scores

A sublime penalty from Hanna Bennison to level it up for Sweden in the shootout.

3-3

SMITH MISSES

WOW. Sophia Smith with a chance to send the USA through but she fires over.

3-2 USA.

Naeher saves

Blomqvist's penalty is saved by Naeher.

RAPINOE MISSES

Megan Rapinoe blazes over too.

Still 3-2 USA in the shootout.

BJORN MISSES

Nathalie Bjorn blazes it over the bar.

3-2 USA in the shootout.

Mewis scores

Kristie Mewis rifles it home. A big moment for the USA substitute.

3-2 USA in the shootout.

Rubensson scores

Rubensson scores.

2-2 in the shootout.

Horan scores

The captain provides. 2-1 USA in the shootout.

Rolfo scores

Rolfo finds the corner. Another great penalty and we're level in the shootout.

Sullivan scores

The USA lead in the shootout. A sublime penalty from Sullivan.

Here we go then....

Here we go then.

It's Sullivan to take the first penalty for the USA.