USA knocked out of Women's World Cup: Only Zecira Musovic and millimetres beat the USA, as transition into a new era begins
The USA had never failed to reach the semi finals of a Women's World Cup; however, their defeat to Sweden on penalties saw them exit at the last-16 stage in Melbourne; numerous issues both in-game and further afield contributed to the exit
Senior football journalist
Sunday 6 August 2023 15:37, UK
The USA are perennial women's football powerhouses, the gold standard to which every international team aspires to be. A measure of that was having never been knocked out of a World Cup before the semi-final stage. That was, until Sunday.
They were unable to overcome a stubborn Sweden — or more precisely, an inspired Zecira Musovic, who was one of the key reasons why the Americans did not cruise into the final eight.
She made save after save, diving and leaping with outstretched arms to deny the likes of Alex Morgan, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith. Since records began in 2011, Musovic's 11 saves are a single-game record at the FIFA Women's World Cup for a goalkeeper who kept a clean sheet.
It is incredible form from a player who does not get a lot of minutes for her club, Chelsea. Ann-Katrin Berger is the regular No 1, while England's Hannah Hampton has also joined the London club this summer, adding even more competition.
But with form like she showed against the USA, it is easy to see why Emma Hayes keeps such an able deputy in the ranks, with Sweden still having conceded just one goal at this tournament. Their group-stage form, somehow, did not translate into the last 16, but it did not matter. They had Musovic to keep them in the game until the lottery of penalties.
And at one point, much like they were a post away from exiting at the group stage, the USA were one penalty away from rightly reaching the quarter finals. But
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