(Gateway Pundit) The U.S. women’s soccer team suffered its earliest exit in a World Cup ever after losing to Sweden in the Round of 16 on Sunday. The teams finished scoreless in regulation and extra time before Sweden prevailed 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
Sweden’s Lina Hurtig delivered the knockout blow on a penalty kick that came off U.S. Women’s goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s hands and crossed the line by the slimmest of margins before the Naeher swiped it away again.
Look at how close the shot was.
Alyssa Naeher nearly kept it out 🧤 pic.twitter.com/DjpatlgCKD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 6, 2023
As ESPN notes the U.S. got off to a hot start in the penalty shootout, nailing their first three shots, before Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith, and Kelley O’Hara missed their attempts. This gave Hurtig the chance to play hero.
