(UPDATE) MELBOURNE: The United States' long reign as Women's World Cup holders was brought to an end in the most dramatic fashion as they were dumped out on penalties by Sweden, who joined the Netherlands in reaching the quarterfinals on Sunday. USA’s Alex Morgan (left) heads the ball next to Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt during the 2023 Women’s World Cup Round of 16 football match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. AFP PHOTOTheir last-16 defeat after the game ended 0-0 after 120 minutes was the United States' earliest exit in their Women's World Cup history and leaves European champions England now the firm favorites. The USA have long been the dominant force in international women's football: they have won the World Cup four times and were chasing an unprecedented third title in a row. Cue belated pandemonium among the Sweden squad and tears for the Americans who, despite dominating large periods of the game, just never got going at this World Cup.
