Dramatic ending: Sweden wins on penalties and expels the USA from the World Cup

Sweden reaches the World Cup quarter-finals. The Swedes won a thrilling penalty shootout against the USA, thus knocking the record world champions and defending champions out of the tournament.

In the ninth Women's World Cup, there was no medal for American soccer players for the first time. The defending champion lost to Sweden on penalties in the round of 16 in Melbourne. After 120 minutes, the score was 0-0. In the previous eight competitions, the United States won four gold medals, one silver medal, and three bronze medals.

It was clear that the Americans were the better team for more than 120 minutes, but they were unable to capitalize on any of the many opportunities presented to them. It looked like a USA victory for a long time on penalties, but Sophia Smith was unable to put the match point into the net.

Pure drama when Lena Hurtig scored the decisive penalty. American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was in front, but was unable to clear the ball completely until it crossed the goal line. Sweden will now face Japan in the quarter-finals.

That's how close they were when it came to the decisive penalty kick