Sweden routed the US ladies’s nationwide crew 3-0 of their Tokyo 2020 Olympic opener, with Stina Blackstenius scoring twice and Lina Hurtig including additional ache in opposition to the pre-tournament favorites.
The US headed into this 12 months’s delayed Video games boasting a lot of the squad which claimed World Cup glory in France in 2019, with the likes of Alex Morgan beginning in opposition to Sweden and social justice soccer queen Megan Rapinoe on the substitutes’ bench.
The People had been additionally out for revenge after being knocked out by the Swedes on penalties within the quarter-finals of the final Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
However in entrance of empty stands on the Tokyo Stadium, it was the Swedes who ran riot within the opening sport in Group G.
Blackstenius opened the scoring within the twenty fifth minute when she glanced a header throughout purpose and into the online from a Sofia Jakobsson cross.
?? Merecía el gol Suecia, dominio, generando numerosas ocasiones y exigiendo constantemente intervenir a Naeher. USA ha tenido 2, pero ha estado desaparecida y sufriendo en defensa.Asiste Jakobsson (somos muy crew Sofia) y marca Blackstenius. #Tokyo2020pic.twitter.com/h1oMaxZjKL
— Chantal Reyes (@cchantalreyes) July 21, 2021
The 25-year-old ahead was heading in the right direction once more within the 54th minute when the US didn’t cope with a nook, permitting Amanda Ilestedt to move onto the publish earlier than Blackstenius turned within the rebound.
The rout was full when Juventus star Hurtig headed dwelling a cross from Hanna Glas contained in the final 20 minutes.
The US struck the publish by Rose Lavelle and Christen Press, nevertheless it was a convincing win for the Swedes which snapped a outstanding 44-game unbeaten run for his or her American rivals.
On-line, followers and pundits had been shocked by the benefit with which four-time gold medalists the US had been swept apart.
Some urged the Swedes had taught their broadly vaunted rivals a “soccer lesson” as others stated Vlatko Andonovski’s crew had been “torn aside.”
GOAL! Hurtig heads dwelling. Sweden lead #USWNT 3-0. It is a surprising consequence for Group USA of their #Tokyo2020 Olympics opener.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) July 21, 2021
Event favourites USA being completely torn aside by Sweden right here. A giant consequence within the event as a complete #SWEUSA#Tokyo2020
— Kieran Gallop (@kierangallop00) July 21, 2021
That is an UNREAL efficiency from Sweden. I’ve by no means ever seen USA battle in opposition to a crew this a lot. After they’ve misplaced prior to now it’s been matches on a knife edge however Sweden are flying proper now. What a press release of intent! #SWEUSA
— Lydia Smith (@LydSmiz) July 21, 2021
By no means pressured, dominated from starting to finish. Individuals speaking about USA being favorites however I can’t see that. Sweden we’re feasting man, no soccer right here, a soccer lesson #Tokyo2020
— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) July 21, 2021
Sweden end 3-0 winners, totally deserved, might have been 4 or 5 even when US twice hit publish from uncommon assaults. Gorgeous consequence which blows ladies’s Olympic event vast open. US ought to nonetheless make QFs, however their aura is damaged
— Glenn Moore (@GlennMoore7) July 21, 2021
The assembly had been billed as a “grudge match” by some within the US press beforehand, on condition that the People had been dumped out of the Video games 5 years in the past in a shootout by the Swedes – following a 1-1 draw wherein Blackstenius had additionally scored.
The Swedes and US are acquainted foes at main tournaments, having met six instances at previous World Cups and enjoying out a 3rd encounter on the Olympics with their match in Tokyo.
The US will now must bounce again of their second group sport in opposition to New Zealand on July 24, earlier than taking up Australia of their remaining group match on Tuesday.
Sweden roll on to a gathering with Australia on Saturday earlier than going through the Kiwis on July 27.
