The United States played its best match in the Women's World Cup, but it was not good enough for the two-time champion to escape elimination from the tournament.
The Americans' attempt to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended on Sunday in a penalty shootout. Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith missed penalties that could have given the United States the win, and Kelley O'Hara squandered the final shot for the Americans, giving Sweden the chance they needed.

Lina Hurtig scored and Sweden eliminated the United States from the World Cup 5-4 after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time. The Americans dominated the ball exchange until the toss-up.

This is the first exit in the tournament's history for the United States, a four-time World Cup winner.

Rapinoe said as she wiped away her tears, "This feels like a sick joke. For me personally, this is like dark comedy that I missed a penalty, this is the balance on the beautiful side of the game. I think it can be harsh."

American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher argued in vain that she saved Hurtig's attempt, but she was in control of the line. The field played "Dancing Queen" by ABBA as the Swedes celebrated and the American players cried.

"We lost the World Cup by millimeters. This is hard," Naeher said, who successfully converted her penalty. "I am proud of the team's fight. We knew we hadn't given our best effort in the group stage, and we wanted a complete team performance, and the team came out and played wonderfully."

Sweden's goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who saved 11 shots, eliminated the United States in the round of 16 for the first time in the team's history. The American's worst finish is third place, on three different occasions.

"We didn't put anything in the net," Julie Ertz cried after the loss. "The penalties were tough. It's emotional because this might be my last game ever. It's hard. It's an emotional time. Clearly, it sucks. Penalties are the worst."

The loss was somewhat expected based on the Americans' lackluster play during three group stage matches. But they played their best game in the World Cup against Sweden, only to be decided by penalties.

Sweden eliminated the United States from the 2016 Olympics in the quarterfinals on penalties, and Sweden advanced to the quarterfinals to play Japan, the 2011 World Cup winner, who defeated Norway 3-1 on Saturday night.

Sweden has never won a major international tournament, either the World Cup or the Olympics. The closest the team came was as the World Cup runners-up in 2003. They finished third in the 1999, 2011, and 2019 editions, and won silver medals in the last two Olympic tournaments.