The USWNT’s loss in the round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Melbourne on Sunday was heartbreaking. After a scoreless regulation and extra time, Sweden and the United States had to go seven rounds in penalty kicks to decide the match, and the deciding goal couldn’t have been any closer.
Tied in PKs and needing a save to extend the match, it appeared as if U.S. goalie Alyssa Naeher saved Sweden striker Lisa Hurtig’s shot to force an eighth round. However, replay confirmed that the ball actually crossed the line by a whisker, giving Sweden the victory and USWNT an early exit from the World Cup.
After review, the penalty is good and Sweden wins 🇸🇪
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 6, 2023
🇺🇸:✅✅✅❌❌✅❌
🇸🇪:✅✅❌❌✅✅✅ pic.twitter.com/PbidlCoiWd
In order for a goal to count, the entire ball must cross the line. In this case, there was just barely enough room between the ball and the line, as the USWNT was about a millimeter away from getting to the eighth round of PKs.
SWEDEN ELIMINATED THE USWNT BY A MILLIMETER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xDQn97qjyF
— ESPN (@espn) August 6, 2023
Once that picture of VAR confirming Sweden’s goal hit the internet, fans couldn’t believe the goal that eliminated the USWNT counted by such a narrow margin.
Cool way to lose pic.twitter.com/lHAv0A6QYt
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) August 6, 2023
A game of inches? Try millimeters.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) August 6, 2023
Unbelievable. I’d be mad about the USA blowing a chance to win in PKs but I was already mad about them choking in group play. Sigh. #USWNT 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/I4lQaE44Ud
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) August 6, 2023
Metric system finally takes America down https://t.co/gUwWdhJBdE
— Zito (@_Zeets) August 6, 2023
The difference between advancing and losing just a millimeter
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) August 6, 2023
The most incredible end to a match, I've ever seen. Holders and favourites, #USA BEATEN by #Sweden by penalty shootout, sudden death stage, decided by VAR. Unbelievable!#WomensWorldCup #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023 #worldcup2023 #uswnt #swe pic.twitter.com/JYVwo6qlL1
— You deserve a holiday (@Holi_blog) August 6, 2023
No matter how close, a goal is a goal, and the USWNT’s dream of a World Cup three-peat is over.
