USWNT exits WWC after penalty loss to Sweden

The United States women's national team was knocked out of the Women's World Cup after a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat to Sweden in the round of 16 on Sunday.

The U.S. entered the tournament as the reigning two-time champion but was bounced at its earliest stage ever, exiting by the narrowest of margins, with Lina Hurtig's winning penalty barely crossing the line and requiring VAR to confirm the goal. 

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Vlatko Andonovski's side made its way out of the group stage despite winning just one game, and the Americans struggled again as Sweden goalkeeper Zećira Mušović nullified their dominance with a number of inspired saves to send the game to extra time tied 0-0.

Megan Rapinoe came off the bench on 99 minutes in place of Alex Morgan, and the U.S. added even more pressure on Sweden's goal, but could not break the deadlock, and the game went to penalties.

The USWNT netted its first three spot kicks, but saw attempts from Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O'Hara miss the target before Hurtig stepped up with a chance to win the match. USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher got a hand to Hurtig's attempt and nearly kept it out, but the ball looped toward the goal, with a VAR check showing it had crossed the line by a tiny margin.

The USWNT's only other penalty shootout defeat at the Women's World Cup came in the 2011 final against Japan.