More on U.S. vs. Sweden
- Sweden wins 5-4 on penalties after Lina Hurtig's spot kick crosses the line by a fraction of a centimeter.
- The U.S. dominated the game, hitting the woodwork on several occasions and forcing fine saves from Sweden's goalkeeper, but the game was tied 0-0 after extra time.
- Sweden will take on Japan, which cruised into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Norway.
- Earlier on Sunday, Jill Roord scored her fourth goal of the tournament as the Netherlands marched into the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over South Africa.
Coverage on this live blog has ended.
U.S. coach 'devastated' for his team
MELBOURNE, Australia — Team USA coach Vlatko Andonovski said he was "devastated" for his team after the Sweden loss.
“I see the players in tears, it hurts,” he told a news conference after his team crashed out on penalties. “If I have to coach this and this team again, I’d do it all again,” he added. “I love them all ... they’re my friends.”
Andonovski, who appeared on the verge of tears himself, added there were five players in his team that had never played at a World Cup before.
As for veteran Megan Rapinoe, who unexpectedly missed a penalty in the shootout, he said she was "a legend."
Team USA is out but the tournament continues tomorrow
Team USA may be out but the tournament will carry on tomorrow, when host Australia takes on Denmark and England faces Nigeria.
It will be an early start for England's fans as the game kicks off at 3:30 a.m. ET. Along with Japan and Sweden, the “Lionesses” were undefeated in the group stage.
The “Matildas,” which lost lost 3-2 to Nigeria in the group stage, will kick off at 6:30 a.m. ET.
Time Down Under comes to an end
Loss is 'a bad dream,' Alex Morgan says
Long-time U.S. star Alex Morgan said she was in a state of disbelief, knowing her side was going home without winning a knockout match.
“I’m just devastated, it feels like a bad dream,” Morgan told Fox Sports after the 5-4 loss in penalties to Sweden.
“I feel like we dominated,” she said, adding that the loss “doesn’t feel great.”
Morgan played a strong game before the 34-year-old was subbed out in favor of fellow veteran Megan Rapinoe.
“It’s a tough one to swallow,” Morgan said.
Team USA coach praises his players 'bravery' after loss
Team USA coach Vlatko Andonovski defended the team, saying his players turned in their best effort of the tournament — even if they were eliminated.
“I know we were criticized for different moments in the group stage,” he said. “I think we came out today and showed what we’re all about, showed the grit, the resilience, the fight, the bravery.”
The U.S. had the best of play for 120 minutes but couldn't score a goal and the game was tied 0-0 at the end of extra time. Sweden advanced in penalties, 5-4.
“Unfortunately soccer can be cruel sometimes,” Andonovski said.
Almost 28,000 people attended the game
Almost 28,000 people traveled to the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to watch today's game, stadium officials said.
More than 1.5 million tickets to games in the tournament have been sold, breaking the record set by Canada at the Women’s World Cup in 2015, according to FIFA.
Match attendance is also up 54% on round of 16 matches when France hosted in 2019, the governing body said.
An 'emotional' Julie Ertz fights back the tears
U.S. veteran Julie Ertz fought through tears, summing up the end of this World Cup for the Americans and perhaps her final appearance on this grand stage.
“For me it’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever being able to have the honor to wear this crest,” Ertz told Fox Sports.
Ertz, 31, praised her teammates for playing their best game of the tournament.
“I mean it’s tough,” she said. “Obviously we’re proud of the way we played but we didn’t put anything in the back of the net.”
Megan Rapinoe reacts after penalty miss
A fraction of a centimeter: Team USA crashes out of the World Cup
Minutes after Sweden eliminated the United States 5-4 on penalties, American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was still gesturing at her net in an apparent belief that she had saved the match-ending kick.
Naeher appeared to stop Sweden's Lina Hurtig but the video assistant referee showed the ball barely crossed the line as America crashed out in the round of 16, its earliest World Cup exit ever.
Heartbreak in Melbourne!
Kelley O'Hara hit the goal post before Sweden's s Lina Hurtig converted as the Americans crashed out of the World Cup round of 16.
It's the earliest World Cup exit for the Americans, who had won the past two tournaments.
Americans Sophia Smith and Megan Rapinoe had earlier missed from the spot.