In one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history, the United States women's soccer team lost to Sweden In a penalty shootout. The loss is the first for the Americans before a semifinal in a major competition ever.
U.S. dominates early, Sweden hold out for goalless first half
The U.S. came out early with intent and in the 4th minute, they fired a warning signal, Carli Lloyd with a beautiful pass that doesn’t quite reach the wings but comes out for a corner. Alex Morgan takes it and Sweden were able to clear it, a resulting corner also cleared. The Americans continued to pile on the pressure and a 25th minute shot was blocked. The Swedes were under siege all half long and they were lucky to not be behind, Lloyd's shot from five yards out blocked.
While Morgan Brian was bossing the midfield, Lloyd was the heart of the offense and she had more chances. One on one with Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahl, she was unable get it over. A second attempt also goes over. And then a deep free-kick perfectly in the the box unable to find the back of the net, Sweden one minute from a much-needed halftime break.
Sweden take shock lead, Morgan levels for US to send game into extra time
The Americans continued to dominate play, but again their chances went begging, Lloyd with two more shots that missed. The wastefulness by the US finally caught up to them as Sweden stunned everyone in the stadium by taking the lead. The Swedes were counterattacking well and in the 61st minute Stina Blackstenius broke away from the American defense to calmly slot the ball past goalkeeper Hope Solo to give Sweden a 1-0 lead.
A jolt was needed and US coach Jill Ellis substituted Crystal Dunn in for Allie Long and she made an immediate impact, a fine cross into the Swedish box, but no one was there to latch onto it, Sweden less than 20 minutes from a memorable upset. Finally, the Americans would respond, a ball in the box intended for Dunn deflects off of a Swedish defender and finds Alex Morgan, who beats Lindahl to tie the game.
Seven minutes later, Dunn again caused havoc, getting into the Sweden box, finding Lloyd, but her shot was deflected. Dunn created another half-chance, but it amounted to nothing and the game went to extra time.
No goals in extra time sends the game into a shootout, Sweden prevails to advance to the semifinals
There wasn't much action in the first half of extra time, save for Morgan's shot from seven yards out in the 100th minute, saved well by Lindahl. Controversy ensued in the second half of the extra period. Dunn dribbled inside the area and found Lloyd, who scored, but the goal was disallowed for offsides. Almost immediately, Sweden come down the other end and they beat Solo, but again the goal is called back for offsides. Replays show that Sweden's goal should've been counted. It was on to penalties and Morgan had the first attempt, saved brilliantly by Lindahl. Lotta Schlein beat Solo to give Sweden the 1-0 lead.
Lindsey Horan and Lloyd scored sandwiched in between a goal by Kosovare Asllani made it 2-2. Solo matched Lindahl's save to open the shootout with one of her own, Linda Sembrant unable to convert. Brian and Caroline Seger traded goals before the decisive moments came. Christen Press' right-footed shot was shockingly skied well over the crossbar. That left it to Lisa Dahlkvist, who calmly beat Solo in the bottom right corner, the American keeper barely moving for it, sending Sweden to the semifinals and sending the United States to their earliest loss in any major international competition ever.