Sweden ends USA’s women’s 44-game run

Four-time Olympic champion the United States suffered a first defeat in 45 matches on Wednesday as it lost 3-0 to Sweden in their opening game of the women’s football tournament in Tokyo.Stina Blackst

Four-time Olympic champion the United States suffered a first defeat in 45 matches on Wednesday as it lost 3-0 to Sweden in their opening game of the women’s football tournament in Tokyo. Stina Blackstenius scored twice and Lina Hurtig added a third goal to give 2016 silver medallists Sweden a dream start to their Group-G campaign at a Tokyo Stadium devoid of fans due to COVID-19 restrictions. The US, which goes on to play New Zealand and Australia in its next two group games, hadn’t lost since going down 3-1 to France in a friendly in January 2019.