However, it was to no avail as Dahlkvist coolly converted to take Sweden into their first ever Olympic Games semi-final.
Advertisement
The US women’s soccer team isn’t used to losing at the Olympics – before Friday, it last suffered that ignominy to Norway in the gold medal match of the Sydney Games 16 years ago.
Tied after three rounds in the shootout, Sweden captain Caroline Seger shot past Solo, and US forward Christen Press’ attempt then went over Hedvig Lindahl’s net. With the next kick, Lisa Dahlkvist beat an outstretched Solo for the 4-3 win.
Hope Solo and the USA team fall in the Olympic quarterfinal at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia.
The two sides then played 30 scoreless minutes of overtime, followed by a penalty shootout. “But they won, they moving on and we’re going home”. I think you saw American heart. In the 115th minute, the Americans thought they had the lead when a header from Lloyd found the back of the net, but Lloyd was deemed to have committed a foul and the goal was waived off. I’m very proud of this team.
“I thought that we played a courageous game”, Solo said after the shocking defeat. Teams and athletes expected to win medals have fallen tragically short. I strongly believe that. “They didn’t want to open the game and they tried to counter with long balls”, continued Solo.
When told about Solo’s comments, Sweden coach Pia Sundhage said: “It’s OK to be a coward if you win”. Her comments instantly caused controversy, and sparked a response from Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who coached the US from 2008-2012.
Sweden scored against the United States in 61 minutes when Stina Blackstenius ran on to a defense-splitting pass and calmly slotted the ball past us keeper Hope Solo.
Trailing 1-0 in the second half, the Americans managed to get the equalizer from Alex Morgan.
Solo, 35, helped lead the United States to the 2015 World Cup title and also started in goal for the 2012 Olympic team that won gold. It was just her second worldwide goal, and Sundhage reacted by high-fiving her assistants on the bench. Now the Americans were even. Moments later, Solo almost blocked another shot, which would have put the United States ahead.
Lloyd almost put the United States ahead in the 85th but her kick to the far corner went just wide. We defend very well. They were the most talented team but lost on penalty kicks. Lloyd and Sweden’s Schelin both had goals disallowed during the extra period, to set up the nail-biting finish from the penalty spot.
Advertisement
Solo, the high-profile goalkeeper for the World Cup-winning USA Women’s football team, had been accused of domestic violence in a family dispute. The last time the two teams met in the Olympics was at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Sundhage was a player on the Sweden team that fell 2-1 to the Americans.
