Sweden knock holders USA out after dramatic penalty shootout | OneFootball

Sunday brought us two more last-16 clashes in the Women’s World Cup.

Here’s what happened.

Sweden knock the reigning champions out after dramatic shootout

Sweden survived an American onslaught to knock the holders out of the World Cup on penalties, in a shootout where VAR had to be used to confirm the winning penalty had gone in.

USA had enough chances to win the game in normal time with Lindsey Horan thumping a header against the crossbar before Zećira Mušović produced a stunning save to keep out the American captain.

Mušović pulling off remarkable saves would become the theme of the match as the Swedish goalkeeper put in an incredible performance to keep her team in the match.

She mustered 11 saves overall as the US kept trying to knock the door down to no avail, including tipping an Alex Morgan pot-shot around the post in extra-time.

A rollercoaster penalty shootout followed with Nathalie Björn and Rebecka Blomqvist firing their spot-kicks over the bar leaving the US with the chance to win but both Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith fluffed their lines.

The drama didn’t subside in sudden death with Kelly O’Hara hitting the post with her penalty allowing Lina Hurtig the chance to become the hero for Sweden.

Alyssa Naeher denied her spot-kick but the ball looped back in the air and dropped back over the line by the tightest of margins, with a VAR check needed to confirm the penalty had actually landed over the line despite Naeher’s best efforts to claw it back out.

The US exit at the earliest stage they have ever been knocked out while Sweden will go on to meet Japan in the last eight.

Roord strikes as South Africa go home

Scorers: Roord 9′; Beerensteyn 68′.

Having topped Group E, the Netherlands set up an intriguing last 16 clash with South Africa in Sydney.

The South Africans had needed a last minute winner against Italy to progress and were clear underdogs here.

And they looked nervy early on as the Dutch scored the opening goal inside 10 minutes.

Jill Roord was the scorer, notching her fourth of the tournament so far.

But the African side slowly grew into the game and looked much more composed on the ball as the half progressed.

They struggled to click in front of goal though, which wasn’t a problem for the Oranje.

After the break they thought they had got a second only for Lieke Martens goal to be ruled out by VAR.

But the Dutch did manage to double their lead and see out the game as Lineth Beerensteyn netted with 20 minutes to go.