August 6th, Melbourne.

A chilly evening set the stage for the biggest game of the 1/8 finals (Round of 16).

Sweden (3rd in FIFA Ranking) and the USA (winner of the last two Women’s World Cups and 1st in FIFA Ranking) faced each other to see who would go through the next round. A match between two of the favourites to win this competition.

The Swedish started with a 1-4-2-3-1 formation, assuming a 1-5-3-2 shape when defending deep and alternating a quite a bit the attacking shape throughout the game. They played around, searching to attack through the wings, and over, looking for their forward (Blackstenius). They relied mostly on the set pieces, putting the ball over in the area to try to take advantage of their height. Without ball, they displayed a high block in periods, making difficult for the opposition to make quick transitions, alternating with a medium block.

The Americans got on the pitch with the same formation as the opposition, 1-4-2-3-1. In the few occasions they had to defend deep, the shape alternated between the 1-5-4-1 and a compact 1-4-3-3. The attacking shape changed between the 1-3-3-4, 1-2-4-4- and the 1-2-3-5/1-2-3-3-2. The USA, technically stronger and more athletic, played with a great diversity of options, mixing around to the wings, through balls searching Morgan or over, in the back of opposition defence. They were quick to react and press to the loss of the ball when needed.

The match started somewhat levelled, with an ascendent of the American team. The good positioning of the last champions allowed the to intercept many passes. With the possession gained, the transition into attack was quick, breaking the opposition midfield line with through passes into the middle to be later played for the wings where there was space. On the Swedish side, the last pass wouldn’t come out, the balls over to the forward weren’t effective and the set pieces were put in the opposition’s penalty area by the air but without results.

The dominance of match was undisputed and the opportunities to score for the US team started to amount but were all stopped by Musovic (Swedish GK).

The half time came and nothing changed.

The second half started as the first finished. The North Americans, stronger, faster and with quality passing created several opportunities…and there was Musovic stopping them.

In the last 15 minutes of the regular time, the Swedish, who started positioning themselves higher in the pitch, re-forming their high block and occasionally pressing high, levelled the game. The substitutions refreshed the team and brought some tactical stability. Sweden seemed to make some changes, displaying shapes of 1-4-4-2 and 1-3-4-3, putting more elements in the midfield and closer to the centre forward. From there until the end of the 90 minutes, was the best period of the game for the Scandinavians.

The regular time ended and some players of the USA were beginning to show signs of being emotionally affected.

The Swedish started better the extra time but, soon after, the USA dominated the match until the end.

The extra time ended with a 0-0. None of the teams were able to score. The Scandinavians didn’t create many opportunities of goal and the North Americans, despite the dominance and quantity of chances to score, never managed to surpass Musovic.

In the penalties, 4-3 to Sweden, won the team who could control better their emotions. The Swedish go to the next round where they’ll face Japan. The USA didn’t have luck and go home earlier than many expected.

Key Player:

Zecira Musovic (Sweden) – Always focused, determined and well positioned. Saved everything there was to be saved during the 120 minutes. Highly influential.