WATCH: Sweden knock USWNT after VAR deems Lina Hurtig’s penalty as goal by the barest of margins

The defeat marked a first instance of a Round of 16 exit for the USWNT in World Cup history.

USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is unable to keep Lina Hurtig's penalty out as Sweden land the big upset at 2023 Women's World Cup. (AP/Screengrab from FanCode)

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It went right down the wire, and it was a matter of bare inches. Sweden’s win against defending and four-time champions of the Women’s World Cup, USA in the Round of 16 was big enough to be the upset of the tournament, the penalty shootout would make it even more so.

Lina Hurtig’s sudden death penalty kick would be saved from the spot by Alyssa Naeher only for the VAR to overrule it after the US goalie’s initial spill ended up getting the ball across the goal line by millimeters. Here’s the save and the drama that followed:

SWEDEN ARE THROUGH TO THE QUARTER FINALS 🇸🇪

The moment referee Stéphanie Frappart tells Lina Hurtig that her goal has gone over the line meaning that Sweden dumps out defending champions USA 5-4 on penalties! pic.twitter.com/FhuUv8Oobs

— Sporting Her (@SportingHer) August 6, 2023

Earlier, a 0-0 stalemate over 90 minutes and extra time took the game to the penalty shootout. A total of four spot kicks not finding the back of the net would take the game into sudden death with even Megan Rapinoe – who had stated the ongoing World Cup and football season to be her last – missing from 12 yards out.

The Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic didn’t just turn out to be the point of difference in the shootout but also across the regulation time, making a total of 11 saves across the contest.

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“First and foremost I am so proud of the team, a lot went into this performance. We went out and did it, I think we played beautiful football today. We created chances but didn’t score. Penalties suck, they are cruel. I am proud of every player who stepped up today, it is courage to take one. Being able to come out of group stage where we didn’t perform our best and coming out today [and performing well],” USA co-captain Lindsey Horan would say afterwards.

The defeat marked a first instance of a Round of 16 exit for the USWNT in World Cup history.