USWNT: Disappointing World Cup run concludes with loss to Sweden
It may have been the best soccer they played all tournament, but in the end USWNT’s loss to Sweden on penalty kicks sums up disappointing showing at World Cup/
Sports Seriously, USA TODAY
Group play at the 2023 World Cup is over, which means it is time for do-or-die in the knockout rounds with 16 teams now facing win-or-go-home matchups.
This tournament, which has already produced a number of surprises during group play, added another one on Sunday when Sweden eliminated the U.S. Women’s National Team on penalty kicks in the Round of 16 in the squad’s earliest exit ever at a major tournament.
The USWNT joins Germany, a two-time World Cup champion (2003 and 2007), Norway, the 1995 champion, and Canada, the reigning Olympic gold medalists, as teams already sent home from Australia and New Zealand. That leaves Japan (2011) as the only former World Cup champion still standing and creates openings for teams looking to break through to win soccer’s biggest tournament for the first time.
Following the bracket can be confusing, so here’s a full schedule in list form to help keep track of all the matches (and adjust your sleep schedule accordingly).
World Cup round of 16 schedule
All times Eastern
Saturday, Aug. 5
Sunday, Aug. 6
Sweden 0, USA 0 (Sweden wins 5-4 on penalty kicks)
Monday, Aug. 7
Game 53: England (Group D winner) vs. Nigeria (Group B runner-up) in Lang Park, Brisbane at 6.30 a.m.
Game 54: Australia (Group B winner) vs. Denmark (Group D runner-up) in Stadium Australia, Sydney at 3.30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 8
Game 55: Colombia (Group H winner) vs. Jamaica (Group F runner-up) in Hindmarsh, Adelaide at 4 a.m.
Game 56: France (Group F winner) vs. Morocco (Group H runner-up) in Melbourne Rectangular at 7 a.m.
World Cup quarterfinals schedule
All times Eastern
Friday, Aug. 11
Game 57: Spain vs. Netherlands (Wellington Regional at 9 p.m. ET Thursday)
Game 58: Japan vs. Sweden (Eden Park, Auckland 3.30 a.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 12
Game 59: England/Nigeria vs. Colombia/Jamaica (Stadium Australia, Sydney at 6.30 a.m.) Game 60: Australia/Denmark vs. France/Morocco (Lang Park, Brisbane at 3 a.m.)
World Cup semifinals schedule
All times Eastern.
Tuesday, Aug. 15
Game 61: Winners of 57 vs. Winners of 58 (Eden Park, Auckland at 4 a.m. ET)
Wednesday, Aug. 16
Game 62: Winners of 59 vs. Winners of 60 (Stadium Australia, Sydney at 6 a.m.)
World Cup third place match: Time, location
Saturday, Aug. 19
Game 63: Losers of 61 vs. Losers of 62 (Lang Park, Brisbane at 4 a.m.)
World Cup final 2023: Time, location
Sunday, Aug. 20
Game 64: Winners of 61 vs. Winners of 62 (Stadium Australia, Sydney at 6 a.m.)
WANNA BET? Everything you need to know before betting on 2023 Women’s World Cup
