USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski: 'We deserved to win this game'

MELBOURNE, Australia — Vlatko Andonovski sat at the podium, tears welling in his eyes, as he tried to come to terms with what had just happened.

For the first time ever, the United States will not progress to the quarterfinals of a Women's World Cup, having fallen to Sweden on penalties in the round of 16 after a scoreless draw during which the Americans did everything but find the goal they needed to win the match.

It was a lot for the U.S. coach to process.

"We deserved to win this game," he said.

He's probably right. 

After a dismal group stage, the four-time champions dominated Sweden from start to finish on Sunday at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. They took 22 shots, half of them on target, but couldn't buy a goal. 

Swedish keeper Zećira Mušović made 11 saves over the 120 minutes — including acrobatic stops on U.S. co-captains Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan.

Mušović didn't need to make any saves in the shootout; Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O'Hara all missed the net from 12 yards. 

Lina Hurtig then won the match on a shot that was initially saved by U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher, only for VAR to determine the rebound had just barely entered the goal before Naeher could claw it away.

"Until the last whistle is blown you have hopes that the ball didn't cross the line," Andonovski said. "That just shows how cruel this game sometimes can be, and how small a detail can make the difference between winning and losing."

Andonovski was heavily criticized during the group stage, during which the U.S. failed to win at least two games for the only time in its nine World Cup appearances. The U.S. struggled to score in those matches, too. 

Sunday's performance was better — way better — in every way. The coach reinserted