Sweden vs USWNT summary: Swedes win on penalties, score, stats, highlights | 2023 Women’s World Cup

Swedes surge up WWC power rankings

With the USWNT now out, stats specialists Opta have revised their ranking of the favourites to lift the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

England remain top - but with an increased, 27.4% chance of winning the tournament - while Sweden are up from seventh to second, with a 15.5% chance.

Penalties "suck" says "proud" Horan

USWNT captain Lindsey Horan has told FOX she's "proud of every player that stepped up to take a penalty".

“First and foremost I’m proud of the team," Horan said. "A lot went into this performance and it was kind of [about] changing gears and playing like us, and playing our style, and being confident and patient.

"All of these things. We went out and did it. I think we played beautiful football today, and we entertained and we created chances. 

“[But] we didn’t score, and this is part of the game. Penalties: to be frank, they suck. They’re cruel. I’ve gone through too many in my career and I’m proud of every player that stepped up to take a penalty today.

"Score or miss, it’s courageous to take a penalty.” 

USWNT's major-tournament QF run comes to end

As Spanish stats guru Mister Chip notes, this is the first time that the USWNT have failed to make at least the quarter-finals in a major tournament.

They were on a run of 25 straight last-eight appearances at World Cups, Olympics and CONCACAF W Championships.

Marvellous Musovic

She didn't actually save any of the USWNT's penalties - the misses were either blazed off target or struck the post - but Sweden's Zecira Musovic was excellent tonight, keeping out a couple of very good chances for the tournament holders. That stop to deny Lindsey Horan early in the second half was a particularly fine piece of keeping.

The USWNT's Lindsey Horan is a picture of dejection after the Americans' World Cup exit.

(Photo: REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)

Sweden celebrate their penalty shootout win at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

(Photo: REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Hurtig's penalty over line by finest of margins

This is just how close that Hurtig goalline call was.

USWNT's 12-year WWC unbeaten run ends

It was over a decade since the USWNT had last been beaten in the Women's World Cup; the Stars and Stripes were undefeated since losing the 2011 final on penalties to Japan. That was 18 World Cup games ago!

It's the first time in USWNT history that they have failed to make it to at least the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Sweden to face Japan next Friday

Having dumped the four-time world champions out of the tournament, Sweden will now take on Japan in the quarter-finals in Auckland next week, on Friday 11 August.

The Japanese, remember, booked their last-eight spot by beating Norway yesterday.

We've just been shown the goal-line technology image. The ball crosses the line by pretty much literally a millimetre. It really couldn't have been closer.

After Naeher initially parried Hurtig's penalty, the ball spun backwards and just over the line before the keeper could get her hand to it.

O'Hara misses! Sweden 4-4 USWNT

O'Hara next for USWNT... and she hits the post! Sweden have the chance to win this!

Smith misses too! Sweden 2-3 USWNT

Up steps Smith, with the chance to win the shootout for the Americans... and she too cannot find the net! She sends it off target!

Blomqvist misses! Sweden 2-3 USWNT

Sweden have the chance to draw level... but don't take it! Naeher saves from Blomqvist, and it's match point to the US!

Rapinoe also misses! Sweden 2-3 USWNT

Rapinoe also skies it! Shock-a-rooney! What a let-off for the Swedes.

Björn misses! Sweden 2-3 USWNT

Advantage to the USWNT! Björn blazes her spot-kick over the crossbar!

So, here we go with the penalty shootout. Stéphanie Frappart gives the two goalkeepers the usual no-funny-business pep talk, and the USWNT's Andi Sullivan will take the first kick. 

Peep peep peep! Penalties it is.

The US have had most of the ball and nearly all the shots, yet it's not as if the Swedes were clinging on. It had looked for a little while like this tie was inexorably headed for a shootout.

It's going to be decided from the spot.

We're into the soleminute of time added on.

Rubensson's delivery is headed away.

The US are preparing two changes of personnel, evidently with more than one eye on the looming shootout. Mewis and O'Hara are on for Sonnett and Fox.

Ertz is booked after catching Blomqvist with a flailing arm, and Sweden have another chance to pump a dead ball into the box.

The USWNT's Megan Rapinoe (left) takes on Sweden's Sofia Jakobsson

(Photo: REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Rolfö drops deep to glance a high ball on to the run of Blomqvist. She chases it on into the area, but Naeher is quickly off her line to come out and gather.

Both sides look utterly knackered at this point. 

Sweden replace Blackstenius with Rebecka Blomqvist.

Again Williams crosses from the right for the US, but her ball is overhit. A minute later, she turns and shoots from the edge of the Sweden area, but her strike trundles straight into Musovic's arms.

The US have had pretty much all the chances tonight, but it's not like they've been creating gilt-edged opportunities at will, either. 

Smith meets Williams' near-post cross with a fine first touch, getting the ball out of her feet before firing towards goal. However, she was driven very wide and didn't have too much of an angle to work with. Musovic saves.

Peeep! We're back underway. Either someone finds a way through in the next 15 minutes or it'll be penalties.

Peeep peeep peeep! That's half time in extra time.

The USWNT added to their collection of chances to score tonight, but couldn't capitalise when Williams was released into space in the Sweden box. The Swedes, meanwhile, have still had just one shot on target all evening.

One minute of time added on.

Sweden win a free-kick on the halfway line, and will send the ball into the US box. They've had a few of these now, but haven't been able to do a whole lot with them.

There's a slight moment of panic when Naeher charges of her line and slightly flaps at the delivery, but again the dead-ball opportunity comes to nought for the Swedes.

There's the clearest opening so far in extra time! Again it's the USWNT who create the chance.

The ball is worked out to the right to Williams, who has yards of space to charge into the area and shoot from an angle. Musovic is down smartly to parry, and Rapinoe can't snap up the loose ball.

Horan does latch on to it, but she's crowded out when she tries to wriggle into space to shoot.

Smith shows good hustle to win the ball for Sonnett on the edge of the Sweden box. Sonnett tries to turn the ball on to the left and into the path of Rapinoe, but the substitute hasn't read her intentions. The Swedes clear.

Sullivan sends a speculative effort well over the bar from range, and here comes Rapinoe.

The 2019 Ballon d'Or winner replaces Morgan.

Sweden make another change, replacing Angeldahl with Hanna Bennison.

The US are getting ready to bring on Megan Rapinoe.

Morgan forces a smart stop from Musovic! After muscling Björn off the ball, the USWNT striker chases down a high ball forward before firing in a hopeful effort from an angle. It's sneaking in at the near post, but the Sweden keeper is alive to it. She beats it away.

A moment later, the ball is lifted high into the USWNT area, where Rolfö and Hurtig both look to get their heads on it. Naeher darts off her line and gets to it first, and is fouled by Hurtig. There was also an offside flag.

The Swedes start extra time on the front foot.

Jakobsson crosses from the right towards Rolfö, but the US clear. The loose ball falls to Rubensson, but her long-range effort is blocked on the edge of the American area.

Peeep! Extra time is underway.

Morgan (third left) connects with a header that forced a fine late save by Sweden goalkeeper Musovic.

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Peeep peeep peeep! Extra time it is.

The USWNT came closer to breaking the deadlock in that second half, most notably through those Horan and Morgan chances, but it remains goalless in Melbourne.

Two minutes of time added on at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

That's a big save from Musovic! Williams' cross from the right drops on to Morgan's head at the back post, and she gets a decent enough connection on it. It looks for a moment like the ball is going to fly into Musovic's corner, but the Sweden keeper is across to parry!

It's been a good couple of minutes for Sweden. Rolfö wins a corner on the right, and Andersson delivers.

The US get it clear, but only as far as Angeldahl. She takes a bit of wild swipe at the ball, to be honest, and sends her strike well off target. It was a decent enough shooting opportunity for her.

Oh, that's very encouraging stuff from Jakobsson, the player just on for Sweden. Picking the ball up on the right, she cuts inside Dunn before lashing a shot at goal. Had it been directed towards either corner, it may well have been in; as it is, it's right at Naeher.

Morgan latches on to Horan's neat through ball, and advances into the Sweden box before slicing her shot off target. She was offside, though, so the quality of her finish is very much moot.

Sweden make a double change: Rytting Kaneryd and Asllani are off, with Sofia Jakobsson and Lina Hurtig on in their stead.

Blackstenius turns on the edge of the box and tries to get a shot away, but Ertz is in position to block.

Smith receives the ball just inside the Sweden area, but after collecting and spinning, she slices the ball high up into the air. It drops safely into Musovic's arms.

Sonnett fires well over the bar for the US, despite being well placed on the edge of the Swedish box.

A quarter of an hour to go, and the Swedes are preparing a change.

The longer this goes on with the US unable to make the most of their overall dominance of the ball, the more the Swedes appear to sense they might just be able to nick one in these closing stages. That said, they're going to have to show a considerably sharper cutting edge than they have until now.

On the right, Asllani outpaces Dunn to get to the ball first, before cutting inside the right-back with a neat trick. Her lay-off towards the penalty spot is wayward, however, and the US clear.

Williams slips an angled ball into Smith's run to the right-hand byline. With Morgan waiting in the middle, Smith cuts it back, but plays it straight to a cluster of yellow shirts.

It's neat build-up play by Sweden on the right, but before they can dig out a delivery into the danger area, Dunn does well to win it back for the Americans.

Just under 20 minutes to go in Melbourne.

Horan is down after a coming-together with Angeldahl, but looks like she'll be just fine.

We've just been shown another replay of that chance that fell to Horan some 15 minutes ago. It really was a fine save by Musovic; lightning-quick reflexes.

Sweden have a chance to swing one into the mixer when they win a free-kick on the right wing, but Asllani's delivery loops right into Naeher's hands. A waste.

The USWNT's Lindsey Horan reacts after Musovic kept out her scoring chance early in the second half.

(Photo: REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)

The US make their first substitution. Rodman is the player withdrawn, with Lynn Williams on.

Back come the US.

Morgan gets it out of her feet and crosses low from the left, but it's cleared. The defending champions recycle, and when Rodman rises to glance the ball to Smith, the 22-year-old finds herself in acres of space on the right-hand side of the area. 

Smith's touch is a bad one, however, and Musovic dashes off her line to grab hold of the ball. I think Rodman may have been offside when she helped the ball on to Smith, anyway.

Just as I say the USWNT have taken back control, the Swedes enjoy another spell on the ball in the American half. They work it to Angeldahl in space to shoot from 25 yards or so out, but she takes a split-second too long to pull the trigger, and her attempt is blocked.

Sweden started the second half quite encouragingly, but the USWNT appear to have taken back control now. Horan in particular is looking very dangerous.

She slips a neat little ball into Fox's right-wing run into crossing space, but the defender slices her delivery into the side-netting.

Again the USWNT create an opening for Horan, albeit it's not as clear as the last one. Rodman nods it down to the midfielder, who chests it down and shoots just wide from the edge of the area. She slices her effort, and it's always flying off target.

From the corner, which is delivered by Sullivan, Smith has a chance to shoot at the back post. She completely mis-kicks the bouncing ball, though, and the opportunity is lost.

The USWNT enjoy their first period of sustained possession in the Sweden half - and create a fine chance to take the lead!

Waiting at the far post, Horan catches a right-wing cross with a sweet strike that looks to be arrowing across Musovic and into the bottom corner, but the Sweden keeper gets down quickly to save! 

So far, the second half has pretty much exclusively been played in the USWNT half. But just as I'm about to praise Sweden's greater ambition in this second 45, they knock it straight out of play despite being under little pressure from the Americans.

Asllani becomes the first player to go into Stéphanie Frappart's notebook, after catching Ertz.

Having watched the USWNT stroke it about for much of the first 45, Sweden look to have come out from the break with an eye on having a bit more of the ball.

The Swedes pop it around just inside the US half for a good minute or so, but get precisely nowhere before losing it.

Peeep! The teams are back out at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, and we're underway once more.

No changes for either side at the break.

2023 WOMEN WORLD CUP

The first time three African countries have reached World Cup knockout stage

Some half-time reading for you: for the first time in Women's World Cup history, three African nations made it through to the knockout stages in Australia and New Zealand. Most notably, World Cup debutants Morocco qualified for the last 16 at the expense of Brazil.

AS USA's Reem Abdalazem discusses the continent's expectation-defying tournament. 

Lindsey Horan's 34th-minute header hits the Sweden crossbar.

(Photo: WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Peeep! That's half time. The USWNT have been increasingly on top, both in terms of possession and attempts on goal, but there's nothing to separate the sides at the break.

While the four-time champions had the better of that first 45, though, they haven't exactly been battering Sweden's door down, either.

That Lindsey Horan header against the crossbar is the closest the USWNT have come. As for Sweden, it's probably that Asllani corner that almost gave Alyssa Naeher a fright.

Two minutes of time added on in Melbourne.

We haven't had any play for the last minute or so, as Sweden's Andersson has been down and receiving treatment after Rodman inadvertently biffed her on the nose as she held the defender off. 

Andersson is eventually up again and looking like she'll be fine.

Musovic has to look alive to dart off her line when Morgan chases down a near-post delivery from the left. The forward can't quite connect with the ball, and the keeper gets it away.

Just a couple of minutes to go to half time. The USWNT have definitely carried the initiative in this first half, but goalless it remains.

USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher punches clear, with Sweden's Magdalena Eriksson and Amanda Ilestedt breathing down her neck.

(Photo: REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)

Rodman is proving a really dangerous attacking outlet for the USWNT. The Americans work it back out right to the 21-year-old, who immediately looks for the first-time ball into the danger area, with white shirts waiting. Rubensson is there to cut it out, though.

Horan nods it against the bar! The midfielder rises highest to meet a right-wing corner, but can't direct her header low enough.

30 minutes gone in Melbourne. What to say about the first half an hour?

The USWNT have had most of the ball - in fact, I'm surprised to see Opta put their possession percentage at only 55 - and have had a couple of sights on goal, chiefly through Rodman.

The Swedes are sitting and waiting for the Americans, and looking to hit them on the break. They do seem like they could catch their opponents out at some point.

Back come Sweden, Asllani zipping the ball into the USWNT box towards Blackstenius. The Arsenal forward can't quite collect on the edge of the six-yard area, though, and the defending champions clear it.

Again Rodman gets it out of her feet and shoots, but her long-range ping is always rising. Musovic watches it fly well over the bar.

That's fine attacking play by Rodman, who stings Musovic's palms.

Bursting into the box past Andersson, she gets plenty of welly behind her strike, but again it's very centrally hit and the Sweden keeper repels the effort without too much fuss.

Musovic's parry is straight back into the danger area, but Smith can't bring the ball under her spell and Sweden get it away.

The USWNT's Sophia Smith holds off Sweden's Nathalie Björn.

(Photo: REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)

Sweden again threaten, and Asllani threatens to score an Olympic goal! When the captain swings over a corner from the left, her whipped delivery is dropping in just under Naeher's bar; the USWNT keeper has to look alive to beat it out.

Sweden carve out their first opening of any real substance, but Blackstenius can't get hold of her shot. Spinning just inside the USWNT box, she fires an effort at goal - but it's weakly hit, and it's blocked.

There's another shooting opportunity for the USWNT! Rodman receives midway into the Swedish half, before spinning and setting off towards the box. Gliding by Eriksson, she pings in a shot - but it's too close to Musovic. A fairly regulation save for the Sweden goalkeeper.

Sonnett feeds the ball out right to Rodman, but her cross is weak.

The USWNT win it right back, though, and are dominating possession in these early stages in Melbourne.

The USWNT's Andi Sullivan (centre right) fights for the ball.

(Photo: WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

The decibels rise when Morgan receives in space on the left, but her ball across the top of the Sweden box is behind Rodman, and the chance to catch the Scandinavians on the break is lost.

Sweden again feed it out to Rytting Kaneryd, who winds up to cross. It's deflected behind for a corner, which the USWNT deal with.

There's the first shooting chance of the game!

Released by Morgan, Rodman jinks towards the right-hand byline, before cutting it back to Smith. She has about five yellow shirts on top of her, and can't get her shot away.

The loose ball falls to Sullivan on the edge of the box - where she has a little bit too much space to let fly - but she drags her effort past Musovic's right-hand post.

Sweden work it right to Rytting Kaneryd, who barrels towards the byline before crossing - but her delivery is slight sliced and definitely too long. The USWNT clear.

The USWNT find Alex Morgan for the first time, and she gets her head down and runs at a back-pedalling Sweden defence. Cutting in from the left, Morgan darts into the penalty area, but before she can pull the trigger, she is run off it by Björn.

It would appear that Julie Ertz is continuing in her centre-back role, with Emily Sonnett slotting into the midfield. There had been a few pre-match doubts over which way around that would be.

Peeeep! Stéphanie Frappart gets us underway in Melbourne.

Almost time to go!

Anthems done. Just a couple of minutes to kick-off! Here's a final reminder of the teams:

Sweden:

Musovic; Björn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldahl, Asllani, Rubensson; Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Rolfö

USWNT:

Naeher, Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn, Sullivan, Horan, Sonnett, Rodman, Morgan, Smith

Out come the teams!

The two teams make their way out on to the field in Melbourne, where it's anthem time. Sweden first.

Trinity Rodman (right) warms up with her USWNT team-mates at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

(Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Sweden players warm up for their round-of-16-clash with the USWNT.

(Photo: WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023

Who is Stéphanie Frappart, the referee for Sweden vs USWNT at the Women’s World Cup?

France's Stéphanie Frappart will be the match referee in Melbourne.

Frappart is certainly no stranger to big games: she took charge of the USWNT's final victory over the Netherlands at the last Women's World Cup, and has experience of both the men's and the women's UEFA Champions League.

She was also one of three female referees at the men's World Cup late last year.

We've put together a profile of the 39-year-old.

Warm-ups underway

With 20 minutes to go until kick-off, the sides are busy warming up at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

There is a new favorite for the Women’s World Cup

The USWNT’s lacklustre group stage has seen Vlatko Andonovksi’s side slip down Opta’s ranking of the Women’s World Cup frontrunners. 

Ahead of the round of 16, Opta installed England as the side likeliest to win the trophy, giving the European champions a 26.5% chance of winning the title.

The USWNT are now down in second, on 13.7%. Sweden are seventh, with a 7.3% chance.

AS USA's Jen Bubel has the full story.

Sweden won team's last major-tournament meeting

However, while they’ve remained unbeaten in Australia and New Zealand, the USWNT’s haul of five points is their lowest ever in a World Cup group stage. 

It’s also worth pointing out that Sweden were victorious the last time the teams’ met at a major tournament, winning 3-0 in the group phase at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. 

Stina Blackstenius netted twice, before Lina Hurtig rounded off the scoring for a Blagult side that went on to take silver. The US, meanwhile, had to settle for bronze.

Swedes last team to beat US in normal play at WWC

Getting back to Sweden and the USWNT’s head-to-head records, it should be noted that the Scandinavians’ 2-1 win over the Americans in 2011 was the four-time world champions’ most recent defeat at the tournament inside 90 or 120 minutes. That was now 21 World Cup games ago.

The USWNT’s only World Cup loss since then came on penalties, to Japan in the 2011 final.

USWNT fans ahead of kick-off in Melbourne.

(Photo: WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023

Sweden vs USWNT: times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Women’s World Cup

Incidentally, if you're wondering where you can watch Sweden vs the USWNT on TV or online, let me direct you towards our guide on how to tune in.

Sweden fans at Melbourne Retangular Stadium ahead of today's round-of-16 clash.

(Photo: WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023

Carli Lloyd baffled by USWNT ‘celebrations’ after elimination scare

In case you missed it - if so, where have you been? - the Carli Lloyd criticism that Andonovski was referring to came after the USWNT's goalless draw with Portugal.

It's fair to say that national-team legend Lloyd, who won two World Cups with the Stars and Stripes, wasn't impressed with the players' celebrations after squeaking through to the knockout stages.

"There’s a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family, but to be dancing, to be smiling... I mean, the best player of that match was the post!" Lloyd told Fox Sports. "You are lucky to be not going home right now."

Lloyd walked back her remarks the following day, telling Fox: “I was very critical of the team last night. I’ve had some time to reflect, to sleep on it, and I want people to understand that I care deeply about this team.”

Soaking up the surroundings

Looking swish(ish) in their pre-match suits, the US players have been out for a stroll on the field at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

What the coaches said: Vlatko Andonovski, USWNT

Carli Lloyd criticism:

"For someone again to question the standards, the mentality, mindset of this team after everything that they do, I personally don't think it's the right time to do that. And I don't think it's the right thing as well. I'm very happy with where they're at, how they hold themselves accountable and they keep raising the standards."

No more walkovers:

"We want to [win] everything by five goals. Who doesn't want to do that, right? But those results are gone.”

(Quotes: Reuters; photo: William West/AFP)

What the coaches said: Peter Gerhardsson, Sweden

USWNT:

“This USA team have a lot of quality in my experience. They've got a lot of pace, good depth of play, so compared to the three matches in the group stage there will be a different intensity in this match and it's important that we understand the tempo we need to maintain, especially at the start. We've perhaps not quite had that full tempo in our last three matches.”

Swedes need to step it up:

“We did what we wanted to do by winning all three games. But in terms of performance, there were things we did well and things we did less well. In general, there was nothing very bad or brilliant either. Now, to put it simply, we need a new level of performance.”

(Quotes: FIFA.com; photo: REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)

Nine return to Sweden XI

Meanwhile, after ringing the changes for Sweden's final group game against Argentina, Gerhardsson reverts to the team that beat South Africa and Italy on matchdays one and two.

Musovic, Björn, Andersson, Angeldahl, Asllani, Rubensson, Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius and Rolfö all return for the Blagult.

Rodman, Sonnett in for USWNT

Andonovski makes two changes to the USWNT side that began the 0-0 draw with Portugal.

Trinity Rodman returns to the attack in place of Lynn Williams, while Emily Sonnett gets her first start of the World Cup, coming into the team in place of the suspended Rose Lavelle.  

Sweden team news

Peter Gerhardsson has also named his side, which is as follows:

USWNT team news

The USWNT's starting line-up has dropped, as one seemingly has to say these days. Vlatko Andonovski has gone with: Naeher, Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn, Sullivan, Horan, Sonnett, Rodman, Morgan and Smith.

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023

What is the USWNT’s Women’s World Cup record against Sweden?

If you'd like to read more about the history of Sweden and the USWNT's World Cup meetings over the years, I suggest you take a look at this piece by my colleague Roddy Cons.

Sweden and US meet yet again

No other nations have met more at the Women's World Cup than Sweden and the USWNT: today's match-up will be their seventh clash in the tournament's 32-year history. That said, it'll be the first time they've crossed paths in the knockout stages.

In six group-stage meetings - which include each of the last five World Cups - the US have generally had the upper hand, winning four and drawing one. Sweden's sole victory came in 2011, when the Scandinavians beat the Americans to top spot in their group.

(Image: SofaScore)

Who else is through to the QFs?

After Sweden vs the USWNT, we'll know exactly half of the line-up for the Women' World Cup quarter-finals.

Before Japan saw off Norway yesterday, Spain made it through to the last eight for the first time in their history when they thumped Switzerland in Auckland.

Aitana Bonmatí scored twice for the Spaniards as Jorge Vilda's side overcame the concession of a bizarre equaliser - when Laia Codina's wildly overhit backpass flew into her own net - to win 5-1.

The Netherlands are also through to the quarters, after beating South Africa 2-0 in Sydney. Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn got the goals as the Dutch set up a clash with the Spaniards.

Japan await winners in last eight

We now know, by the way, that the winners of today's clash in Melbourne will move on to a quarter-final tie with 2011 champions Japan. The Asians overcame Norway in the round of 16 on Saturday, securing a 3-1 victory in Wellington. 

The last-eight clash will be played on Friday 11 August at Auckland's Eden Park.

(Photo: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

How Portugal nearly eliminated the USWNT

Defeat to the Portuguese would have condemned the USWNT to an early exit - and in stoppage time at Eden Park, the Europeans had a great chance to score what would surely have been the winner.

However, substitute Ana Carpeta struck the post when through on goal, and the US clung on to second spot in the group.

AS USA's Jen Bubel has more on that crucial moment.

Stuttering Stars and Stripes

While the Swedes swept into the round of 16, the USWNT's progress to the knockout stages was somewhat less straightforward.

After all, the defending champions are up against a fellow heavyweight at this early juncture precisely because they only managed to make it through as the runners-up in Group E, behind the Netherlands. It's only the second time in Women's World Cup history that the Americans - who have also been at every tournament - have failed to top their group.

And Vlatko Andonovski's side had to survive a late scare against Portugalto secure the matchday-three draw they needed to qualify...

(Photo: Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Swedish sweep

Semi-finalists at two of the last three Women's World Cups, Sweden made it to the knockouts once by more topping Group G with a 100% record - after an initial struggle against South Africa, that is.

Peter Gerhardsson's side needed a stoppage-time winner to secure a come-from-behind win over the South Africans on matchday one, before scoring seven without reply in victories over Italy and Argentina.

One of just seven nations to have qualified for every Women's World Cup, the Swedes have only ever once failed to get out of their group.

(Photo: EFE/EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG)

Sweden vs USWNT: welcome!

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the pick of the World Cup's round-of-16 ties, as Sweden and the USWNT face off in a heavyweight clash in Melbourne.

Kick-off is at 5am ET/2am PT - just under two hours' time.