Sports
U.S. eliminated from Women’s World Cup in heartbreaking loss to Sweden
U.S. eliminated from Women’s World Cup in heartbreaking loss to Sweden
The United States has been eliminated from the Women’s World Cup after a heartbreaking loss to Sweden in the Round of 16.
The defending champions lost on penalty kicks 5-4, with the final dagger barely breaking the plane of the goal to send Sweden to the next round.
The Americans’ bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended when Lina Hurtig converted to send the U.S. home after a scoreless draw. It is the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States, the two-time reigning champions and four-time winners.
“We didn’t put anything in the back of the net,” sobbed Julie Ertz after the loss. “The penalties were tough. It’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever. It’s just tough. It’s an emotional time. It obviously sucks. Penalties are the worst.”
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher fruitlessly argued she had saved Hurtig’s attempt, but it was ruled over the line. The stadium played Abba’s “Dancing Queen” in the stadium as the Swedes celebrated.
The United States was eliminated in the Round of 16 for the first time in team history. The American’s worst finish had been third place, three times.
The loss was somewhat expected based on the Americans’ listless play through three group stage matches. But they played their best game of this World Cup against Sweden, only to have it decided by penalties.
“I am proud of the women on the field,” said U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski. “I know we were criticized for the way we played, and for different moments in the group stage. I think we came out today and showed the grit, the resilience, the fight. The bravery showed we did everything we could to win the game. And, unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes.”
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It was the first match at this World Cup to go to extra time.
It was the was the fourth time the Americans went to extra time at the World Cup. All three previous matches went to penalties, including the 2011 final won by Japan. The U.S. won on penalties in a 2011 quarterfinal match against Brazil, and in the 1999 final at the final at the Rose Bowl against China.
Sweden knocked the United States out of the 2016 Olympics in the quarterfinals on penalties.
Sweden goes on to the quarterfinals to play Japan, the 2011 World Cup winner, which defeated Norway 3-1 on Saturday night.
Sweden has never won a major international tournament, either the World Cup or the Olympics. The closest the team has come is World Cup runner-up in 2003. They finished in third in the 1999, 2011 and 2019 editions, and won silver medals in the last two Olympics.
The result ended the international career of United States star Megan Rapinoe, who said this would be her last World Cup. She had taken on a smaller role for the Americans in her final tournament and was a substitute in the United States’ first and third games of group play, and didn’t get off the bench in the middle match.
She came on in extra time against Sweden and in her final game and few minutes of action, she failed to control a ball played in deep, whiffed on a rebound, hit the side of the net with a corner and then missed the penalty that would have won the game for the United States.
The Americans struggled through group play with just four goals in three matches. They were nearly eliminated last Tuesday by first-timers Portugal, but eked out a 0-0 draw to fall to second in their group for just the second time at a World Cup.
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The Americans looked far better against Sweden, dominating possession and outshooting the Swedes 5-1 in the first half alone. Lindsey Horan’s first-half header hit the crossbar and a second-half blast was saved by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had six saves in regulation.
Sweden won all three of their group games, including a 5-0 rout of Italy in its final group match. Coach Peter Gerhardsson made nine lineup changes for the match, resting his starters in anticipation of the United States.
It was tense from the opening whistle.
Naeher punched the ball away from a crowded goal on an early Sweden corner kick. Three of the Swedes’ goals against Italy came on set pieces.
Trinity Rodman’s shot from distance in the 18th minute was easily caught by Musovic, who stopped another chance by Rodman in the 27th.
Horan’s header off Andi Sullivan’s corner in the 34th hit the crossbar and skipped over the goal. Horan was on target in the 53rd minute but Musovic dove to push it wide. Horan crouched to the field in frustration while Musovic was swarmed by her teammates.
The United States was without Rose Lavelle, who picked up her second yellow card of the tournament in the group stage finale against Portugal and has to sit out against Sweden.
In Lavelle’s absence, Andonovski started Emily Sonnett, who was making her first start for the team since 2022. The addition of Sonnett allowed Horan to move up higher in the midfield.
Sweden pressed in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Sofia Jakobsson, who came in as a substitute in the 81st minute, nearly scored in the 85th but Naeher managed to catch it for her first save of the tournament.
U.S. eliminated from Women’s World Cup in heartbreaking loss to Sweden
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Sports
Real Madrid demand referee change, could boycott Copa Del Rey final
Real Madrid demand referee change, could boycott Copa Del Rey final
Real Madrid refused to partake in planned Copa del Rey final related activities on Friday because they were angry at complaints made by the match officials earlier in the day, the club told media in Seville.
The referee for Saturday’s match against rivals Barcelona, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, welled up when speaking about pressure officials have faced from Real Madrid TV this season.
Spanish champions Real Madrid boycotted the press conference, the open training in front of media, the traditional presidents’ dinner and a pre-match photo-call.
“Real Madrid told the RFEF they will not take part in the press conference or the official training session looking forward to the (final),” said the Spanish football federation.
This week the club’s television channel launched a new video attacking the referee for the final, something they have done to various officials this season.
Los Blancos also published an open letter in February claiming Spanish refereeing was “rigged” and “completely discredited”.
Real Madrid have form when it comes to boycotts: in October they stayed away from the Ballon d’Or ceremony because their winger Vinicius Junior was not named the best player in the world.
“Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected,” the club said at the time.
De Burgos Bengoetxea had spoken about the effect criticism from Real Madrid’s television channel was having on his family life.
“When a child of yours goes to school and there are kids telling him that his father is a ‘thief’ and comes home crying, it’s totally messed up,” De Burgos Bengoetxea told a news conference.
“What I do is try to educate my son, to say that his father is honest, above all honest, who can make mistakes, like any sportsperson,” he continued, becoming emotional.
Real Madrid demand referee change, could boycott Copa Del Rey final
Sports
Pep Guardiola, wife to ‘give marriage a second chance’ after Barcelona reconciliation meeting
Pep Guardiola, wife to ‘give marriage a second chance’ after Barcelona reconciliation meeting
Pep Guardiola and his wife Cristina Serra are reportedly trying to reconcile their marriage, after the Man City boss spent three days with her in Barcelona over Easter.
Guardiola and Serra, a fashion entrepreneur, met back in 1994 and married in 2014.
News of their shock split became public in January, with reports the following month that the couple had begun divorce proceedings.
According to Catalan newspaper El Nacional, Guardiola and Serra are reportedly prepared to ‘give each other another chance’ and state that ‘all is not lost in their marriage.’
The report claims the Man City boss had returned to Barcelona over Easter and stayed in the family’s mansion in the city.
Previous reports have claimed Guardiola’s unexpected decision last November to renew his contract with the Premier League club for another two years had been a key factor in the split.
Pep Guardiola reportedly made a commitment to Cristina Serra in a bid to save their marriage
Guardiola’s decision to sign an two-year deal at Man City reportedly contributed to the split
Guardiola reportedly spent three days in Barcelona over Easter in a bid to reconcile with Serra
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Serra returned to Barcelona with their youngest child in 2019 to focus on her business interests and was reportedly to have decided to split with Guardiola after learning of his decision to stay in the UK until 2027.
The latest report claims Guardiola has pledge to visit Barcelona once a week, then leave again due to his role as Man City head coach.
Maria Lapiedra, who is married to Barcelona based journalist Gustavo Gonzalez, told the outlet that Guardiola had made the commitment to prevent the couple going weeks without seeing each other.
The report also claims both Guardiola and Serra continue to wear their wedding rings, an apparent display that the couple of 30 years are seeking to reconcile.
Guardiola and Serra married in an intimate ceremony on the outskirts of Barcelona in 2014 but decided to part ways in December.
The couple, who met in 1994, had been living apart for more than five years after Serra moved back to Barcelona with one of their three daughters, Valentina, 17, while Guardiola remained in Manchester.
They have two other children together: Maria, 24 and Marius, 22.
Guardiola and Serra had remained a couple despite not living in the same city and have regularly been pictured together in the years since.
Serra, who had been with Guardiola for 30 years, had been living away from her husband
Guardiola reportedly made the commitment to fly back to Barcelona once a week to see Serra
Spanish outlet Sport reported earlier this year that the decision to end their marriage was made in December, with only members of their inner circle aware of the split. Their trusted friends and family have also been told not to disclose any further information, according to the publication.
Serra decided to leave Manchester in 2019 to help oversee the fashion company owned by her family, Serra Claret, which stocks several brands the City manager is often seen wearing.
Guardiola and Serra met while the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was modelling for designer Antonio Miro in the shop in the Spanish city.
They began a long-distance relationship when Guardiola was a footballer, before they bought a home together in Barcelona. The couple later moved to Germany when Guardiola was manager of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Pep Guardiola, wife to ‘give marriage a second chance’ after Barcelona reconciliation meeting
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Sports
Flying Eagles beat Egypt 2-1 in U-20 AFCON warm-up
Flying Eagles beat Egypt 2-1 in U-20 AFCON warm-up
Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, defeated their Egyptian counterparts 2-1 in a friendly match on Tuesday in Cairo, ahead of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament will take place in Egypt from April 27 to May 18.
Kparobo Arierhi gave Nigeria the lead in the 10th minute after receiving a fine pass from Bidemi Amole and coolly slotting it home.
Egypt equalised in the 65th minute through Ahmed Kaabaka, but Nigeria regained the lead in the 83rd minute when Precious Benjamin scored from the penalty spot.
The penalty came after Divine Oliseh was fouled in the box.
The win is a big boost for Nigeria, who arrived in Egypt on Sunday for the 17th U-20 AFCON.
Nigeria, the seven-time champions, is in Group B and will play its first match against Tunisia on Thursday. It will also face Morocco and Kenya in the group stage.
NAN reports that the top four teams from the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile slated for Sept. 27 to October 19. (NAN)
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