Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. That wasn't supposed to happen, was it?
No side is more synonymous with Women's World Cup success than the United States. The USWNT have won the competition four times and been runners-up once alongside three third-place finishes, but in 2023 a new historic low was set.
All great teams go through cycles and must learn to go again in the future, but few expected the Americans to leave Australia and New Zealand at the last 16 stage this year.
That's exactly what happened, however, blowing the competition wide open as their conquerors Sweden joined Spain, Japan and the Netherlands in reaching the quarter finals.
Their meeting on Sunday was the first knockout stage game this tournament to go to extra-time and subsequently penalties. The United States dominated proceedings, registering 11 shots on target to Sweden's one, but found an inspired Zecira Musovic between the sticks.
Coach Vlatko Andonovski was able to draw a performance more reminiscent of their successful 2015 and 2019 World Cups than the insipid efforts of the group stage, with Lindsey Horan hitting the bar and Trinity Rodman also drawing two saves from Musovic.
Legendary striker Alex Morgan may have headed the USWNT in front in the 89th minute but her powerful effort was pushed away by Musovic as Sweden secured a goalless draw in normal time.
No winner was found in that extra 30 minutes as penalties ensued. Andi Sullivan, Fridolina Rolfo, Horan and Elin Rubensson traded successful efforts before Sweden blinked first. Kristie Mewis converted before Nathalie Bjorn skied over the crossbar.
Veteran Megan Rapinoe could have put the US ahead but instead sent it into the stands, turning and running back to her teammates with a rueful smile before Alyssa Naeher saved well from Rebecka Blomqvist.
The yips then got to Sophia Smith, whose penalty went arrowing past the post, before Hanna Bennison finally levelled for Sweden.
Naeher and Magdelen Eriksson added successful strikes before Kelley O'Hara struck the post after sending Musovic the wrong way, gifting Lina Hurtig the chance to send the Scandinavians through.
Cue some VAR drama...
In an extremely tense finale, Naeher scrambled to save Hurtig's low effort, batting the ball away on the second attempt. However, referee Stephanie Frappart indicated the ball had crossed the line by the slimmest of margins, sparking wild celebrations for Sweden who will face Japan in the quarter finals.
"We just lost the World Cup by a millimetre," was goalkeeper Naeher's reaction.
For the USWNT, it's the first time ever they depart a Women's World Cup without a medal and means their dreams of three consecutive titles after successes in 2015 and 2019 are over.
There's likely to be plenty of criticism back in North America. 316-time international Carli Lloyd was vocal before the Sweden defeat about the US' poor performances in the group stage, though captain Horan snapped back by saying "...you have no idea what's going on behind the scenes".
For now, inquests will be put on hold as the USWNT prepare to leave Melbourne and Australia. Rapinoe has played her last World Cup game, while the same may prove true for fellow stalwarts Morgan, O'Hara and Naeher.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Twitter reacts as USWNT crash out of Women's World Cup.
