USA finally showed up against Sweden – but it was too little, too late

The Americans put in a performance worthy of defending champions in their final 2023 World Cup match. But a lack of finishing proved costly once again

As Sweden took a victory lap and Abba's Dancing Queen blared through the night at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Alyssa Naeher stood with her hands on her hips in disbelief. It took several minutes - what felt like an eternity - for VAR to confirm that the ball had crossed the line on the final penalty of the game.

It was almost impossible to tell with the naked eye whether the Swedish forward Lina Hurtig's shot had crossed the line, after not one but two swats from the USA goalkeeper. An incredulous Naeher threw her hands in the air and yelled to her goalkeeping coach, Philip Poole, appearing to believe the video proved she had saved the penalty.