Two more quarter-finalists were confirmed on day 18 of the 2023 Women's Word Cup, with the Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States among the teams in action as the last 16 continued in Australia.
The United States were knocked out by Sweden on penalties, with a dramatic finish sealing the fate of the back-to-back defending champions.
In the earlier match, it was a routine win for the Netherlands against group stage surprise package South Africa, who had good spells but just couldn't find the back of the net.
Sweden 0-0 United States (Sweden win 5-4 on penalties)
In a stunning turn of events, the United Sates, reigning back-to-back champions and undisputed powerhouses of women's football, exited the tournament after being defeated by Sweden in a gripping penalty shootout.
Throughout the match, the Americans dominated possession and put a lot of pressure on Sweden's backline, but were met with an impenetrable wall in the form of exceptional goalkeeper Zecira Musovic. The Chelsea stopper produced a heroic performance, making an astounding 11 saves during the 120 minutes of play, frustrating the USWNT's lethal forwards at every turn.
Despite their attacking prowess, the United States could not find the decisive breakthrough, and the match remained deadlocked at 0-0 at the end of extra-time.
In the dramatic shootout, the intensity was palpable as players from both sides lined up to take their nerve-wracking spot-kicks.
Lina Hurtig stepped up and scored the deciding penalty for Sweden, sealing their victory and sending them through to the quarter-finals, where they will face Japan.
It was a final moment of drama as Alyssa Naeher made an impressive attempt to save Hurtig's shot. Naeher managed to push the ball up and over herself, but unfortunately, she couldn't prevent it from crossing the line.
Naeher was convinced the ball didn't go over the line, telling the referee, "No chance," but goal-line technology and VAR confirmed it, leading to wild celebrations from the Swedish players and fans.
"We're so happy right now," said Sweden captain Magdalena Eriksson. "I don't know how we managed to stay in this game. We didn't play our best game, but in some way we showed we're hard-headed, we showed heart, we never give up. We took it to extra time, we took it to penalties and we managed to win."
For the United States, the penalty shootout proved to be a bitter pill to swallow, as several of their star players faltered from the spot. Megan Rapinoe, who has been a talismanic figure for the team, missed her penalty, marking her final action at a World Cup ahead of retirement this year. The experienced Kelley O'Hara hit the bar from hers, and with both players coming on during extra-time, it begs the question: when will managers learn it's never a good idea to bring players on just for penalties?
The defeat marks a significant upset and their earliest exit from a Women's World Cup in history by some distance. Prior to this tournament, the USA had maintained an impeccable record, having reached the semi-finals or better in all previous editions.
Coach Vlatko Andonovski said the team had been practising penalties but that it wasn't meant to be.
"I know we were criticised for the way we played ... I think we came out today and were all about the grit, the resilience," he said. "Unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes. For it to go to penalties and to end in that fashion, with the confusion at the end."
Questions will surely be asked about Andonovski, and if he is the right manager to guide this team during their transition period.
The USWNT join several other big nations who were knocked out early, including Canada, Brazil, and Germany.
As the competition for ultimate glory continues, one thing is certain – the Women's World Cup never fails to deliver moments of sheer drama and unforgettable excitement.
Netherlands 2-0 South Africa
In what was certainly the less dramatic of the two matches, the Netherlands endured several tense and anxious moments during hard-fought 2-0 victory against South Africa, to book their place in the last eight of the tournament.
Jill Roord, who recently became Manchester City's new club record signing, played a decisive role by nodding in the Netherlands' opener from very close range. It was her fourth goal of this tournament and her fifth at a World Cup, making her the country's all-time Women’s World Cup top goalscorer.
Although the Dutch team managed to maintain their lead, South Africa came close to equalising on multiple occasions, keeping the pressure on the 2019 World Cup runners-up. Eventually, Lineth Beerensteyn scored the second after a mistake from Kaylin Swart.
Banyana Banyana captain Thembi Kgatlana proved to be a real handful for the Dutch defense, forcing five fine saves from Daphne van Domselaar.
"We made the early goal, and Daphne saved a few balls which were dangerous," said Dutch manager Andries Jonker.
"So I was happy at halftime that we were leading 1-0 and in the second half I think we did much better, had much more control over the game. In the end, we deserved to win the game but it was a quite difficult first half by our own fault and the good work of South Africa."
Kgatlana also had to deal with a lot of personal matters while at this tournament, and has captained her side with a lot of grace and leadership at this tournament.
"We felt we could have won this game and if I look back, we should have done with the opportunities that we had," manager Desiree Ellis said after the match.
"But, as always, if you don't take the chances then that's what happens. With a decision or a goal here or there, we could be speaking differently now, but I think the whole of South Africa should be really proud of this team. I think as a group, we need to hold our heads up high. When we qualified for the last 16, the whole country went crazy and I'm expecting them to go crazy when we get back
"This team really punched above their weight considering that we do not have what everybody else has - a professional league. To the sponsors. I don't know how you can ignore something special like this," Ellis said of her team's tournament run.
"I don't know how you cannot assist in getting us to climb the ladder, and not assist in getting us to be better. We still have players who have a 9-5 job, and then have to go train in the evening. I think that is unacceptable...I think the corporate world needs to stand up and, and really take notice."
Netherlands' joy was slightly dampened by the fact that they will have to face their upcoming quarter-final against Spain without Danielle van de Donk, who received her second yellow card of the tournament, resulting in a one-game suspension.
Van de Donk was visibly devastated and broke down in tears at full-time, knowing she is ruled out for the quarter-final after starting all 15 World Cup games in Netherlands women's team history.
"We have this conviction, it's not the last game for Danielle. It's very disappointing she got a yellow card but we can't change it," added Jonker.
"Danielle has very specific qualities that we really need and we will miss those qualities. But we've got a lot of other good midfielders and that's what we'll need to work out over the next few days."
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This article was originally published on 90min as Women's World Cup: Sweden knock out USWNT by millimetres, Netherlands end South Africa fairytale.
