Sports Evolve
The US national women team have had a bad start at the Olympics after a 3-0 defeat to Sweden.
The win was courtesy of a Stina Blackstenius brace and a Lina Hurtig header. The defeat brings to an end the 44-match unbeaten run. The world cup champions were put on the back foot for most parts of the game with Sweden dominating the game.
Sweden was aggressive from the start. After a series of attacks and corner kicks, Sweden broke through with a header from Blackstenius in the 25th minute. Blackstenius continued to haunt the USA again. She scored the equalizer against the USA in the 2016 Olympic games. The game went to penalties where the USWNT was eliminated from the Olympics.
In the 54th minute, Blackstenius doubled the lead from a corner as she calmly put the ball in the net at close range. After a brief VAR check, the goal stood as she was not offside.
The US tried to salvage the game with Carli Lloyd, who was on as a sub, attempting a shot in the 61st minute deflected wide. Christen Press had her shot hit the post in the 70th minute from a Rapinoe cross.
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However, Sweden would have the last say with Hurtig heading home from a Hanna Glas corner dashing all hopes for the USWNT.
Sweden’s keeper Hedvig Lindahl, denied Press a consolation goal after a brilliant save from a point-blank header.
The defeat ends the team’s run since their 3-1 defeat to France in a friendly back in January 2019.
The USWNT will face New Zealand on 24th July as they look to bounce back and wrap their group stage campaign against Australia on 27th July.
The top two teams are set to advance to the knockout stage with the top two third-placed sides also advancing to the knockout stage.
