AUCKLAND/SYDNEY: The United States’ reign over women’s football is over after they fell on penalties to Sweden in the round of the 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne.

The defending champions suffered their earliest finals exit by 5-4 in the shootout after a goalless extra time draw.

Earlier Netherlands progressed to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 defeat of South Africa.

The US exited in the most dramatic fashion at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium with VAR needed to confirm that US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher had not parried Lina Hurtig’s penalty shot before it had crossed the line.

The Swedes had not had a shot on goal until the 85th minute when substitute Sofia Jakobsson shot straight at Naeher.

The US could have won the shootout. Veteran Megan Rapinoe lifted the US’s fourth kick over the bar after Sweden’s Nathalie Bjorn had fired high. Naeher then saved Rebecka Blomqvist’s fourth shot for the Swedes only for Sophia Smith to waste the winning opportunity for the four-times champions by shooting too high.

Kelley Ohara then hit a post, allowing Hurtig to step up to condemn the four-times champions.

US coach Vlatko Andonovski complained: “It’s a tough moment. You have hopes that the ball didn’t cross the line. Just shows how cruel this game can be.”

Rapinoe said: “This is like a sick joke. For me personally, I’m just like, this is dark comedy. I missed a penalty.”

Sweden coach Magda Eriksson said: “We didn’t play our best game but in some way we showed we’re hard-headed, we showed heart, we never give up.”

The Swedes will play Japan in the quarter-finals.

Netherlands made their usual high-speed start in the other tie to set up victory over South Africa.

Jill Roord struck after Lieke Martens had been denied by a clearance off the line, the sixth time the Dutch have scored inside 20 minutes.

Lineth Beerensteyn extended their lead in the second half after a mistake by South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart.

Netherlands return to New Zealand to face Spain in Wellington on Friday.

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