August 15 – It was the shock result of the tournament, The US women’s team, so dominant in the women’s game as current World and Olympic champions, crashed out on penalties in the quarter finals to Sweden who only scraped into the knockout rounds as third place qualifier in their group.
Sweden now face Brazil in the semi-finals in the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday. In their group game, the opening match of the tournament, the Brazilians were convincing winners 2-0.
Sweden’s triumph was one of resilience and determination over a US team and its superstars who for the first time in their history have failed to make an Olympic semi-final. The women’s game entered the Olympics at the 1996 Atlanta games.
After a scoreless first half, Sweden struck first with a goal in the 61st minute. Alex Morgan responded in the 77th minute with a crucial equalizer.
In extra time, both teams had goals disallowed. Carli Lloyd appeared to find the back of the net for the US only to have it called back because of a questionable foul. Moments later, Sweden incorrectly had a goal disallowed for offside.
This set up the penalty shoot out which the Swedes won and the US women responded to with accusations of ‘cowardice’ from the US goalkeeper Hope Solo over the Swedish lack of adventure in playing time.
“(I think) we played a bunch of cowards,” Solo told reporters after the match. “You saw us give everything that we had today. Unfortunately the better team didn’t win.”
Solo had previously upset Brazilians in July tweeting a picture of herself wrapped in a mosquito net with the words‘#zikaproof’.
Solo later said the comments were taken out of context and that “Losing sucks. I’m really bad at it”.
Brazil had the last laugh though as they progressed to Rio and what they hope will be their Olympic and golden destiny. But not without the drama of a penalty shoot-out against a spirited Australian side.
In the other quarter finals Canada kept up their outstanding form beating France 1-0 to set up a semi final against Germany in Belo Horizonte. Germany, Europe’s champions, lost to Canada 2-1 in their group game before overcoming China 1-0 in the knockout round.
Semi-finals – August 15
Brazil vs Sweden – Rio de Janeiro
Germany vs Canada – Belo Horizonte
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