Team USA crashes out of Women's World Cup as Sweden wins on penalties

MELBOURNE, Australia — Team USA coach Vlatko Andonovski said he was "devastated" for his team after the Sweden loss.

“I see the players in tears, it hurts,” he told a news conference after his team crashed out on penalties. “If I have to coach this and this team again, I’d do it all again,” he added. “I love them all ... they’re my friends.”

Andonovski, who appeared on the verge of tears himself, added there were five players in his team that had never played at a World Cup before.

As for veteran Megan Rapinoe, who unexpectedly missed a penalty in the shootout, he said she was "a legend."

Team USA may be out but the tournament will carry on tomorrow, when host Australia takes on Denmark and England faces Nigeria.

It will be an early start for England's fans as the game kicks off at 3:30 a.m. ET. Along with Japan and Sweden, the “Lionesses” were undefeated in the group stage.

The “Matildas,” which lost lost 3-2 to Nigeria in the group stage, will kick off at 6:30 a.m. ET.

Long-time U.S. star Alex Morgan said she was in a state of disbelief, knowing her side was going home without winning a knockout match.

“I’m just devastated, it feels like a bad dream,” Morgan told Fox Sports after the 5-4 loss in penalties to Sweden.

“I feel like we dominated,” she said, adding that the loss “doesn’t feel great.”

Morgan played a strong game before the 34-year-old was subbed out in favor of fellow veteran Megan Rapinoe.

“It’s a tough one to swallow,” Morgan said.

Team USA coach Vlatko Andonovski defended the team, saying his players turned in their best effort of the tournament — even if they were eliminated.

“I know we were criticized for different moments in the group stage,” he said. “I think we came out today and showed what we’re all about, showed the grit, the resilience, the fight, the bravery.”

The U.S. had the best of play for 120 minutes but couldn't score a goal and the game was tied 0-0 at the end of extra time. Sweden advanced in penalties, 5-4.

“Unfortunately soccer can be cruel sometimes,” Andonovski said.

Almost 28,000 people traveled to the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to watch today's game, stadium officials said.

More than 1.5 million tickets to games in the tournament have been sold, breaking the record set by Canada at the Women’s World Cup in 2015, according to FIFA.

Match attendance is also up 54% on round of 16 matches when France hosted in 2019, the governing body said.

U.S. veteran Julie Ertz fought through tears, summing up the end of this World Cup for the Americans and perhaps her final appearance on this grand stage.

“For me it’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever being able to have the honor to wear this crest,” Ertz told Fox Sports.

Ertz, 31, praised her teammates for playing their best game of the tournament.

“I mean it’s tough,” she said. “Obviously we’re proud of the way we played but we didn’t put anything in the back of the net.”

Minutes after Sweden eliminated the United States 5-4 on penalties, American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was still gesturing at her net in an apparent belief that she had saved the match-ending kick.

Naeher appeared to stop Sweden's Lina Hurtig but the video assistant referee showed the ball barely crossed the line as America crashed out in the round of 16, its earliest World Cup exit ever.

Kelley O'Hara hit the goal post before Sweden's s Lina Hurtig converted as the Americans crashed out of the World Cup round of 16.

It's the earliest World Cup exit for the Americans, who had won the past two tournaments.

Americans Sophia Smith and Megan Rapinoe had earlier missed from the spot.

Back in 2016, Sweden defeated the United States on penalties at the Rio Olympics and went on to win silver.

Afterwards U.S. keeper Hope Solo called the Swedes “cowards” and accused them of playing for the penalties.

The most cruel tiebreaker in all of sports has arrived.

The United States and Sweden could not score a goal in 120 minutes, forcing the teams into penalties. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals.

Buckle up, America.

With less than a minute remaining Coach Vlatko Andonovski brings on Emily Fox and Emily Sonnett for Kelley O’Hara and Kristie Mewis.

Here we go. Fifteen minutes to find a winner.

Still we await a breakthrough. After 15 minutes the teams remain deadlocked. Fifteen minutes left before the dreaded penalty kicks.

Another lovely break from Team USA. Lynn Williams' drives into the box but Zecira Musovic gets down brilliantly to push her shot out.

Lindsey Horan turns and shoots but there's Musovic again to keep the game tied.

She's saved Team USA on multiple occasions. Can she do it again?

Megan Rapinoe subbed in by Coach Vlatko Andonovski for Alex Morgan.

Alex Morgan drives into the box and hits a lovely low shot. But there's Zecira Musovic again and she palms the ball out for a corner.

Alex Morgan after her header was saved. Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

U.S. veteran Alex Morgan nearly ended it regulation with a header at close range that forced a diving stop Zecira Musovic stop in the 89th minute.

Through 90 minutes, the Americans outshot the Swedes, 13-6, and have more shots on target, 6-1.

A U.S. elimination would seem particularly cruel at this point.

And we're off. The first 15-minute half of extra time is underway.

With neither team able to break the deadlock, Stephanie Frappart blows the whistle. Here comes another 30 minutes of extra time.

Great cross from Lynn Williams and a bullet header from Alex Morgan, but Zecira Musovic produces another great save to keep the game tied.

U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher came up big with her first save of the match, stopping Sofia Jakobsson's shot from the right side of the box in the 85th minute.

Captain Kosovare Asllani and Johanna Rytting Kanery are taken off and on come Sofia Jakobsson and Lina Hurtig.

Entering the 70th minute, the United States can smell a potential match-turning goal.

The Americans are outshooting the Swedes, 8-2, and have the match's only three shots on target.

But it's still, 0-0.

Lynn Williams comes on for Trinity Rodman who had an excellent game.

Gamblers like the U.S. chances of advancing to the quarterfinals.

Early in the second half, the Americans are -220 picks to move through, meaning a bettor would need to risk $2.20 to profit $1, according to FanDuel.

Entering Sunday's match, the United States was -176 pick.

Sweden's Zecira Musovic saves a great shot from Horan. Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

A lovely cross from the right and Lindsey Horan strikes the ball perfectly with her right foot.

It looks destined for the bottom corner but an outstretched Zecira Musovic dives and makes a terrific save. So close again!

MELBOURNE, Australia — Sitting behind the Swedish goal, the sea of yellow was energetic at the halftime break.

But the small pockets of red, white and blue were all smiles.

“So much better than last time!” one fan yells. “We’re peppering their goal. We feel good.”

And the second half is underway.

The scoreboard belies what's been a near-dominant first 45 minutes of play by the United States.

The Americans are outshooting Sweden, 5-2, and have the match's only two efforts on target, both by Trinity Rodman. Lindsey Horan’s header also found the crossbar in the 34th minute.

Possession has been favor of the United States, 52% to 34%.

Entering Sunday's play, Sweden had outscored its opponents, 9-1, in three matches, but so far they haven't really threatened.

After two minutes of injury time, French referee Stephanie Frappart blows the whistle and its 0-0 at halftime.

A beautiful corner met perfectly by Lindsey Horan but her header crashes off the crossbar with the whole Team USA bench on their feet. So close!

Trinity Rodman again. The forward breaks into the right side of Sweden's box and fires a great shot. But Zecira Musovic makes a super save to deny her.

The goal-starved Americas have asked most of the questions through the first 20 minutes of play.

Trinity Rodham fired the match's only attempt on goal and the U.S. had the early edge in possession.

Trinity Rodman drives at the Swedish defence before hitting a powerful shot. But it's straight at Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic who punches it away.

Sophia Smith and Alex Morgan are linking up nicely down the right for Team USA but Sweden have defended well so far.

Naomi Girma, Lindsey Horan and Sophia Smith of Team USA and Olivia Schough of Sweden need to be careful.

All of them have been booked with yellow cards in previous games and if they get one today they will miss the quarterfinal match against Japan if their team makes it today.

As both teams find their feet there is some scrappy play in midfield. U.S. Co-Captain Alex Morgan burst into the box but couldn't get a shot away. Andi Sullivan also goy a shot in but it went wide.

Team USA fans before Women's World Cup game at Melbourne's Rectangular Stadium. Molly Hunter / Molly Hunter, NBC News

MELBOURNE, Australia — Ahead of the game some Team USA fans were nervous about the team's prospects.

Fiona Hollowell told NBC News she travelled with her parents to Melbourne from Asheville, North Carolina.

“I’m nervous for the team. I can’t imagine how they’re feeling,” she said. “I I’m really hoping they bring the fire because I know they have it,” she added.

Jess Sexton arrived for the match from Wellington, where she was in the stands for the game against the Netherlands.

“There has been way too much criticism in recent days,” she said. “It’s all about adjustments, just need to make them.”

Here we go! The game has kicked off at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

The teams have entered the field and the national anthems are being played.

Just in case you've forgotten. If the game is tied we could have extra time and penalties.

USWNT's starting XI: Alyssa Naeher (GK), Naomi Girma, Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan (C), Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, Emily Sonnett, Andi Sullivan, Crystal Dunn, Trinity Rodman, Emily Fox.

Sweden's starting XI: Zecira Musovic (GK), Jonna Andersson, Magdalena Eriksso, Kosovare Asllani (C), Stina Blackstenius, Amanda Ilestedt, Nathalie Bjorn, Filippa Angeldal, Fridolina Rolfo, Johanna Kaneryd, Elin Rubensson.

Jill Roord of Netherlands heads to score her team's first goal against South Africa. Justin Setterfield / Getty Images

Jill Roord scored her fourth goal of the tournament as the Netherlands secured a quarter-final spot against Spain, with a 2-0 win over South Africa at Sydney Football Stadium.

But there were several anxious moments for the Dutch after Roord put them ahead with a ninth minute header.

South Africa came close to equalizing several times against the 2019 World Cup runners-up, before Lineth Beerensteyn doubled the lead after a mistake by South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart in the second half.

The Netherlands will now return to New Zealand to face Spain in Wellington on Friday for a place in the semi-finals.

Megan Rapinoe of USA inspects the pitch at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

MELBOURNE, Australia — With game faces on and dressed in suits, Team USA and Sweden have arrived at the Melbourne Rectangular stadium for their round of 16 match.

It's a mild evening in Melbourne, with temperatures at around 50 degrees Farhenheit and some cloud cover —ideal conditions for the match.

It is the seventh time the teams have faced each other at the World Cup and both teams know what lies in store for them if victory is achieved: Japan.

MELBOURNE — Good has so far been barely good enough for the United States women’s soccer team, as its quest to win a third straight World Cup has been marred by uncharacteristically mediocre play.

The one-sided scores and dominating play that USWNT fans have come to expect have yet to materialize in two weeks of competition, prompting observers to wonder if U.S. command of women’s soccer has come to an end.

So U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski said he fully understands the stakes ahead of America’s knockout match Sunday against Sweden.

Read the full story here.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — U.S. goals — and wins — have been few and far between this World Cup, but American confidence isn’t lacking.

Despite three lackluster group matches that saw the reigning champions squeak through to knockout play, key players insist they’re not shaken by “noise” from the “outside,” firmly believing the United States’ best soccer is still to come.

“We are not panicking,” experienced forward Lynn Williams told reporters in Auckland on Thursday. “I think that we haven’t played our best soccer yet, which is the most exciting part for us.”

Read the full story here.

It's the World Cup's first knockout round and Team USA will take on Sweden.

When: 5 a.m. ET Sunday, 7 p.m. local time

Where: The Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, in Melbourne, the capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria.

How to watch: Watch the action on Fox, Telemundo and Peacock.