Megan Rapinoe had a chance to send the U.S. Women’s National Team to the World Cup quarterfinals, extending her final appearance in the tournament by at least one more game, but with a missed penalty kick it provided a sour ending to her storied career.
With the USWNT and Sweden scoreless through 90 minutes and through extra time, Rapinoe, who replaced Alex Morgan in the 99th minute, was selected for the fourth round of penalty kicks.
Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic didn’t even need to move a muscle.
Rapinoe blasted the ball over the right corner of the net and three rounds later the USWNT was eliminated on penalty kicks — failing to reach the semifinals for the first time.
“I mean, this is like a sick joke,” Rapinoe told Fox Sports in an interview. “For me, personally, I’m just like this is dark comedy. I missed a penalty … This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game. I think it can be cruel and just not our day.”
When the United States won the 2019 World Cup final against the Netherlands, Rapinoe scored the first goal on a penalty kick by directing the ball toward the right corner before the goalkeeper could even attempt a save.
Four years later, with the USWNT now eliminated, Rapinoe’s career closes with two World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, the Golden Ball and Golden Boot award in 2019, and an Olympic gold medal in 2012.
Rapinoe, who has advocated for political issues throughout her career and announced prior to the World Cup that she’d retire following the 2023 NWSL season, missed her penalty kick a week after she was outspoken about her role in the USWNT’s draw against the Netherlands, telling reporters she “could have helped” despite not being in the starting lineup and not earning time as a substitute.
“I think this team has always fought for so much more, and that’s been the most rewarding part for me,” Rapinoe said Sunday, noting that her most memorable moment might be hearing “equal pay” chants during the 2019 World Cup final.
“Of course, playing in World Cups and winning championships and doing all that. To know that we’ve used our really special talent to do something that’s changed the world forever, I think that means the most to me.”
Rapinoe entered in the 62nd minute against Portugal during the final Group E match, and in Sunday morning’s match she subbed in for Morgan shortly after the first half of extra time began.
Andi Sullivan, Lindsey Horan, Kristie Mewis and Alyssa Naeher all scored on their penalty kicks for the USWNT, while Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O’Hara all couldn’t convert their penalty kick attempts against Musovic, who made 11 saves prior to the penalty kicks.
Sweden advanced to face Japan in the quarterfinals Friday, while the U.S., for all the hype about its young players and all the storylines of veterans transitioning out of the spotlight, entered into a stretch where questions — about Vlatko Andonovski, about looming retirements, about where this new version of USWNT belongs in the global conversations — will continue to emerge.
Rapinoe’s final question, about how she’d perform in her last World Cup, now has a solution.
It just didn’t have the ending that anyone expected.
“I know it’s the end, and that’s sad,” Rapinoe said, “but to know that this is really the only time I’ve been in one of these this early says so much about how much success I’ve been able to have and just how much I’ve loved playing for this team and playing for this country. It’s been an honor.”
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