WOLFSBURG, Germany (AP) — Lisa Dahlkvist converted a penalty, Nilla Fischer scored on a free kick and Sweden beat the Americans for the first time in World Cup play on Wednesday night, a 2-1 victory that forces the U.S. to play Brazil in the quarterfinals.
Abby Wambach got the Americans back in the game in the 67th minute with her first goal of the tournament. But just as they have all year, the Americans squandered many other chances to score. It’s the fourth loss since November for the world’s No. 1 team after going more than two years without a defeat, and their second to Sweden this year.
It’s only Sweden’s fifth victory against the U.S. in 30 games, and first in four World Cup meetings.
As the Group C winner, Sweden will play Australia on Sunday in Augsburg. The Americans will face Brazil, whom they beat in the last two Olympic finals, in Dresden.
