OneFootball
Joel Sanderson-Murray·6 August 2023
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Joel Sanderson-Murray·6 August 2023
With the World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand, plenty of fans around the world will be in bed when some of the games take place.
Not to worry, we have you covered.
A ruthless Dutch side booked a meeting with Spain in the quarter-finals.
Sweden knocked the holders out after a dramatic and controversial penalty shootout (more on that later).
There can only be one answer to this.
The reigning champions USA are out despite dominating the entirety of the whole 120 minutes against Sweden but falling on their sword courtesy of a remarkable shootout.
Nathalie Björn and Rebecka Blomqvist both missed penalties for Sweden which looked to give the US the upper hand but Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith fluffed their lines before Kelly O’Hara struck the post which allowed Lina Hurtig the chance to win it.
And that’s where the drama began.
Alyssa Naeher initially palmed away Hurtig’s effort but the ball looped up in the air and back towards the goal, dropping just over the line before Naeher clawed the ball back out.
Hurtig turned away deflated before referee Stéphanie Frappart pointed to her ear, signalling that VAR had determined that the ball had gone over the line.
A World Cup exit decided by the finest of margins.
Today is going to be very Sweden-USA heavy because there is only one contender for this award.
USA kept knocking on the door but Zrefused to allow entry.
The Swedish goalkeeper made 11 saves in a heroic display to keep her team in the tie even when they looked dead on their feet and awaiting the deadly blow.
A truly phenomenal goalkeeping performance.
Jill Roord heads home Netherlands’ opener in their win over South Africa.
A pivotal moment.
It’s England’s turn to try and make the quarter-finals as they take on Nigeria tomorrow, and it has been reported that midfielder Keira Walsh could be back in contention to feature.