Soccer-U.S. deserved to beat Sweden, says defiant Andonovski

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Round of 16 - Sweden v United States - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - August 6, 2023 U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski waves after being knocked out of the World Cup REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - United States coach Vlatko Andonovski said his team were more deserving of victory than winners Sweden after Sunday's round of 16 clash in which the defending champion Americans crashed out of the Women's World Cup with a dramatic 5-4 loss on penalties.

After the teams finished extra time locked at 0-0 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, three U.S. players, including talisman Megan Rapinoe, missed spot-kicks before Sweden's Lina Hurtig scored to condemn the U.S. to their earliest exit.