Women’s World Cup | U.S. loses to Sweden on penalty kicks in earliest World Cup exit ever

U.S. eliminated from Women's World Cup after Sweden wins 5-4 on penalty kicks. Americans' bid for third consecutive title ends in Round of 16, earliest exit in tournament history.

The United States played its best game of this Women's World Cup and it's wasn't good enough to stop the two-time reigning champions from being eliminated from the tournament.

The Americans' bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended on August 6 on penalty kicks when Lina Hurtig converted and Sweden knocked the United States out of the World Cup 5-4 after a scoreless draw.

It is the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States, four-time winners of the World Cup.

“Just devastated. It feels like a bad dream,” said captain Alex Morgan. “The team put everything out there tonight, I feel like we dominated, but it doesn't matter. We're going home and it's the highs and lows of the sport of soccer. So, yeah, it doesn't feel great.”

U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher fruitlessly argued she had saved Hurtig's attempt, but it was ruled over the line. The stadium played Abba's “Dancing Queen” in the stadium as the Swedes celebrated.

“We just lost the World Cup by a millimeter. That's tough,” said Naeher, who successfully converted her own penalty kick. “I am proud of the fight of the team. We knew we hadn't done our best in the group stage and we wanted a complete team performance and the team came out and played great.”

She praised Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had 11 saves to eliminate the United States in the Round of 16 for the first time in team history. The American's worst finish had been third place, three times.