Women's football favourites USA eliminated by Sweden in penalty shoot-out

By Rio 2016 12/08/2016 17H27

Olympic and world champions crash out in dramatic quarter-final in Brasília

Women's football favourites USA eliminated by Sweden in penalty shoot-out — Blonde ambition: Sweden celebrate their penalty shoot-out victory over the USA (Photo: Getty Images)

Reigning Olympic and world champions the USA have been eliminated from the women's football tournament following a stunning quarter-final upset by Sweden, the world no. 6, who are led by former USA head coach Pia Sundhage.

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The two teams finished normal time tied at 1-1, denying Hope Solo her 107th international career clean sheet. In the first-ever shoot-out in women's Olympic football, Sweden goaltender Hedvig Lindahl stopped one penalty and a second USA attempt sailed over the net.

In regular time, Stina Blackstenius had opened scoring for Sweden in the 61st minute before Alex Morgan answered 16 minutes later for the USA.

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Carli Lloyd, the world player of the year, could not lift her side over Sweden (Photo: Getty Images)

The USA, who won last year's World Cup and have the world player of the year in captain Carli Lloyd, have a fearsome Olympic record. They have won the last three Olympic gold medals and four of the five Olympic tournaments that have been staged, taking silver at Sydney 2000, when they lost the final to Norway 3-2 in extra time.

Friday's (12 August) match in Brasilia at Mané Garrincha Stadium reunited the USA with former coach Sundhage, who led the Americans to gold at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012. In the group stage at Rio 2016, Sweden struggled with a 5-1 loss to host Brazil and finished with one win, one draw and one defeat.

Sweden will now face home nation Brazil in the semi-final at 1pm on Tuesday, at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil beat Australia in dramatic fashion in their quarter-final late on Friday night, when Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara stopped Alanna Kennedy's shoot-out kick, to give Brazil a 7-6 win on penalties, after a scoreless draw.

In the other quarter-finals, Germany beat China, and Canada knocked-out France. Germany will face Canada in the other semi-final, at the Mineirão Stadium in Belo, at 4pm on Tuesday.

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Sweden celebrates after beating the USA on penalties in an astonishing quarter-final upset at Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasília. Photo: (Getty Images/Celso Junior)
The defending Olympic champions and World Cup winners, USA are out of the women's football tournament following a dramatic shoot-out loss to Sweden. Photo: (Getty Images/Celso Junior)
After a great match, the organised line-up of Germany defeats China 1-0 at Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador. Photo: (Getty Images/Felipe Oliveira)
Fans of China hold up banners, flags and signs to show their support in a losing quarter-final effort against Germany. Photo: (Getty Images/Felipe Oliveira)
China and Germany prepare to sing the anthems before a quarter-final match at Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador. Photo: (Getty Images/Felipe Oliveira)
For the first time in 20 years since women's football debuted at the Olympics Games, the USA will not play for a gold medal in the championship match. It was Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl who influenced a 1-1 draw and eventual quarter-final win on penalties. Photo: (Getty Images/Celso Junior)