In the seventh round of a penalty-kick shootout at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the U.S. women’s national team’s fate was sealed in a game of inches—or even millimeters.
On the final penalty kick against Sweden, the USWNT was eliminated in the round of 16 by the slimmest of margins that required a dramatic VAR review that held the world of soccer in suspense after a goalless match.
With the chance to win the match for Sweden, Lina Hurtig stepped up to the penalty spot and sent a shot on target that was initially stopped by Alyssa Naeher. But the U.S. keeper’s save sent the ball up into the air along the goal line as she reached back to paw the ball off the line.
