Sports
Women World Cup: Sweden knock out defending champions USA on penalties to reach quarter-finals
Sweden stunned the United States 5-4 in a sudden-death penalty shootout Sunday to surge into a Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Japan and consign the defending champions to their earliest-ever exit.
The title-holders dominated the opening 90 minutes but a breakthrough proved elusive with Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic making some startling saves to keep her side alive.
With the deadlock remaining after extra-time, it went to penalties in Melbourne — and the tension went up another notch.
Rebecka Blomqvist’s effort was saved, again putting the USA in the driving seat, only for Sophia Smith to blast wide.
When Kelley O’Hara hit the post, it was all down to Sweden’s Lina Hurtig, who made sure — but only after VAR ruled her kick had crossed the line.
The dramatic conclusion leaves the tournament without the two top-ranked sides after Germany’s group-stage departure, with the Swedes now considered among the chief frontrunners as the world number three.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side, who are striving to better their third-place finish in 2019, next face the 2011 champions Japan.
But it was a bitter blow for the USA and an inglorious end for Rapinoe, the Golden Boot winner at the 2019 tournament. She will retire at the end of the season.
Expectations were high coming into the tournament for the four-time champions, who had made at least the semi-finals at every World Cup.
But they never looked up to the task in the group stage, with just one win, against Vietnam.
This devastating early exit will be seen as a major underachievement.
AFP
Manchester United have appointed Ruben Amorim, Portuguese coach, as the club’s new manager.
The Red Devils announced Amorim’s arrival in a statement on the club’s website on Friday.
The manager joined United from Sporting Lisbon and penned a three-year deal to manage the club with an option of an additional year.
However, the Portuguese coach is not expected to join United immediately due to work visa requirements. He is billed to resume at Old Trafford on November 11.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue as United’s interim manager until Amorim’s arrival.
United sacked Erik Ten Hag as the club’s manager on October 28 following a 2-1 loss to West Ham.
The defeat was the United’s fourth in the English Premier League (EPL) this season, and they slipped to 14th place on the log.
The team also remain winless in the Europa League with three draws from as many games. They are rooted in the 21st position of 36 teams in the Europa League log.
Amorim is saddled with the responsibility of rejigging and correcting the wrongs in the team that made Ten Hag’s tenure unimpressive.
The 39-year-old is considered one of Europe’s most promising managers. He won the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon — the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years.
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