The U.S. Women’s National Team has made it to the 2019 World Cup to try to defend their title after beating England 2-1 in the semifinals on Tuesday. This makes it three straight appearances for the United States in the finals, the first time in Women’s World Cup history. An hour before kickoff when the lineups were announced, all US fans were shocked to see Megan Rapinoe on the bench instead of starting. Before Tuesday, she had scored four goals in two games for the US. But head coach Jill Ellis seemed to get the call right, as Rapinoe’s replacement, Christen Press, scored the opener for U.S. just 10 minutes into the game. It was later reported that Rapinoe was left out of the squad battling a hamstring injury.

The US held the lead for a little under 10 minutes however, with Ellen White scoring her sixth goal of the competition and was leading the golden boot race for most goals in the 2019 World Cup. Another 10 minutes passed to find Alex Morgan scoring her sixth goal of the tournament on her birthday and giving the US the winner. She is currently tied with White for the golden boot race, with Rapinoe slightly trailing them with five. After halftime passed, England won a penalty kick in the 84th minute after a VAR replay, but US Goalkeeper Alyssa Naehe saved it and gave US the win. The game was practically over when England’s Millie Bright received a red card shortly after the missed penalty. US goes on to face the winner of Sweden and the Netherlands on Sunday.

With this win over England, the US breaks Norway’s record for the longest winning streak in the World Cup. Despite Rapinoe missing the semifinal, she feels that it’s just a minor injury.

“I feel like I’ll be ready for the final,” Rapinoe said on the FOX broadcast after the game, according to CBS Sports. The US has already beaten Sweden in the World Cup group stage 2-0, and the Netherlands are a Cinderella story type team, as they have never made it to a semifinal in their World Cup history. The Netherlands beat Sweden in their latest competitive match, winning 2-1 over them and being crowned the 2017 European Champions.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

The 2019 World Cup final will be broadcasted on FOX Sports 1 and will be streamed live on the FOX Sports app.

For the first time since Turin 2006, Italy was chosen on Monday to host the Olympic Winter Games in 2026.

Northern Italy was one of only two finalists, with the other being a joint bid between Stockholm and a ski resort in Are, Sweden. Due to the Stockholm/Are bid being both hesitant and skeptical, Northern Italy easily won the favor of the International Olympic Committee, as most people predicted happening.

Fewer cities than ever have been able to afford the billions of dollars needed to host the Olympics. Thus, the bids for the 2026 Olympics have shown what the future of bidding will be. That is, multiple cities (possibly even countries) collaborating.

SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019- TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Italy’s win became all but solidified due to a lack of commitment from Stockholm’s bid. Stockholm previously dropped out of the running to host the 2022 Winter Olympics due to financial reasons, so a lack of commitment to host the games in 2026 does not come across as all that surprising. Even several months ago, it seemed as if Italy’s bid was on its way to dematerializing. However, after a recent poll revealed that over 80% of Italians supported the hosting of the Olympic games, Italy unified to make sure that the final bid and ultimate victory came into fruition.

Italy has also embraced the idea of multiple cities that will host different parts of the 2026 Winter Games. The Games are set to be spread across Northern Italy from Milan to Cortina. The opening ceremony will be held at Milan’s new San Siro stadium, and the closing ceremonies will occur at an amphitheater in Verona.

Bidding for the 2026 Games experienced a withered field of candidates as public interest flagged or rose in opposition in Calgary, Alberta; Sion, Switzerland; Graz, Austria; and Sapporo, Japan.

For Italy, this is a big win, as the entire country seems to be in complete unity with their excitement to host the world’s largest sporting event.

https://twitter.com/olympicchannel/status/1143148973168975873

The U.S. Women’s National Team faces their toughest challenge to date against Sweden on Thursday, fighting for the top place of the group in the last game before the knockout rounds of the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

The United States have yet to concede a goal this tournament, beating Thailand 13-0 and Chile 3-0. Oddschecker has the United States at 1-3 odds to win against Sweden, who have 11-1 odds.

U.S. coach Jill Ellis has played 20 outfield players so far this tournament, prepping depth that could prove vital in the later stages of the tournament. Whoever Ellis decides to play against Sweden will likely be her strongest and favorite 11, and will probably play with a similar side in the first round of the knockout.

Sweden posses a strong front line led by Kosovare Asllani that will be tough to contain for the U.S. defense, who haven’t seen a major threat so far in this World Cup. Sweden is also 3-1-1 in their last five games when facing the United States.

These two teams last faced off back in June of 2017, with the United States winning 1-0 in an international friendly.

Westgate released the odds for the winners of this 2019 World Cup, with the United States as favorites to defend their 2015 title with 2/1 odds. The next favorite is the host country France at 7/2 odds.

According to Fanduel, USA are favorites with -2 (+260) while Sweden is set at +2 (-145), with the o/u set at 2.5.

SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019- TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

If the United States wins or draws against Sweden, they will win Group F. The winner of this group is set to face Spain in the first round of 16 game.  According to Sportsline, Spain are ranked 10th this year and have 25/1 odds of winning the 2019 World Cup. The runner-up of Group F will play the runner-up of Group E, which will be either the Netherlands or Canada. Canada is ranked just under Spain at 11th, while the Netherlands, who are likely to win the group, are 6th in the world, set at 14/1 odds to win it all.

The USWNT faces Sweden on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. EST, and the game will be broadcasted on FOX Sports 1 or can be streamed on the FOX Sports Go app.

The U.S. Women’s National Team clinched a spot in the knockout round of the 2019 World Cup after defeating Chile 3-0 on Sunday.

The USWNT came out with an evolved 11 from their explosive, 13-0 triumph over Thailand, using just four of their starters from Tuesday’s game. Veteran forward Carli Lloyd took goalscorer Alex Morgan’s spot up front, while Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath were rested ahead of Christine Press and Mallory Pugh taking the wings. Becky Sauerbrunn returned to the back line after her injury, putting Julie Ertz into the midfield. Coach Jill Ellis showed a clear display of how much depth this team possesses, with two straight group games of domination without conceding a goal.

“We need them,” Ellis said about the rotation of her players, according to USA Today. “We need them in a good place. If they can have minutes and their butterflies are out of the way, it helps us down the line.”

Whether it was a fitness issue with Tuesday’s starters or getting her entire squad match fit ahead of crucial knockout games, Ellis exhibited the extent this U.S. team holds. Ertz scored in the 26th minute, while Lloyd celebrated a brace in Sunday’s game and missed out on a hat trick after missing a penalty late in the second half.

SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019- TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

The USWNT scored all their goals in the first half, and kept Chile on the ropes throughout the second half, but failed to score again. Chile GK Christiane Endler can be thanked to deny another routing from USA, having saved 14 shots in the second half.

“It takes all 23 players. It takes the entire roster to ultimately lift this trophy,” said Lloyd, according to USA Today.  “We’ve obviously been on the bench supporting the starting group and then vice versa today. It’s just fun, fun to share in the goal celebrations.”

After two games in France so far, Ellis has used 20 different players after subbing Allie Long, Emily Sonnett and Jessica McDonald on during the Chile game. Depth could prove to be the answer ahead of a potentially rigorous seven-game course through the entirety of the tournament. The USWNT faces Sweden on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. EST. Sweden is also 2-0, and will be the team’s first major challenge ahead of the knockout stage.

Two of the four FIFA World Cup 2018 quarterfinals will be held on Saturday in Russia, and here is what you need to know.

World Cup: Sweden Vs. England, Croatia vs. Russia

First, Sweden and England will face off at 10 a.m. EST in Samara. England last won the World Cup in 1966. Sweden beat Switzerland 1-0 in the Round of 16 to reach the last eight, while England beat Colombia on penalties after tying 1-1 in regulation. This marked the first time the Three Lions won a World Cup game on penalties. Could they break yet another losing streak and reach the semifinals?

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Sweden has allowed only two goals in this tournament, both to Germany in a 2-1 loss in the group stage. The Scandinavians finished first in their group. England finished second in its group with six points, having lost to Belgium 1-0 but beating Panama (6-1!) and Tunisia.

The winner of Sweden-England will face the champion of Friday’s second quarterfinal: Croatia vs. Russia, who will play in Sochi at 2 p.m. EST.

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Both of these teams won their second-round games on penalty kicks. Croatia defeated Denmark 3-2 in penalties after a 1-1 tie in regulation (with both goals coming in the first five minutes), while hosts Russia stunned Spain by also beating the European powerhouse 4-3 on kicks after tying 1-1 in regulation. Russia have now reached the quarterfinals for the first time ever in the World Cup. The country had never even made it past the group stage before this year, which prompted fans to joke that president Vladimir Putin had helped the national team advance by fixing the penalty shootout. Croatia, meanwhile, won its group by winning all three of its first three games.

Germany, the defending FIFA World Cup champions, were knocked out of the tournament on Wednesday after a shocking 2-0 loss to South Korea in Kazan, Russia.

Germany Knocked Out Of FIFA World Cup 2018

South Korea — which had lost its first two games of the tournament to Sweden and Mexico — scored two goals in second-half injury time to eliminate Germany after just one round of play, which finished fourth in its group with just three points.

Mexico also lost to Sweden 3-0 after the latter team scored three goals in the second half of a game that was played at the same time as the aforementioned contest, but both teams from Group F reached the round of 16 after finishing with six points apiece. South Korea’s victory ensured that Mexico could advance to the second round.

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Mexican fans had started losing all hope of staying in the World Cup, as a victory from Germany would have effectively knocked the Latin Americans out. But after South Korea scored a goal three minutes into second-half stoppage time, Mexican fans started rejoicing, and the cries of elation at the arena in Yekaterinburg only intensified after South Korea scored again three minutes later, and by then it was Germany’s players and fans who were looking completely dejected and miserable. This is the first time Germany has ever been eliminated from the World Cup after the first round in the national team’s history.

Germany finished with 26 shots on Wednesday, but just couldn’t get past South Korean goalie Jo Hyeon-Woo.

South Korea’s first goal was not immediately certain, as it was reviewed for a potential offside. After a shot off the corner, the ball slipped through to Kim Young-Gwon near the back post. Following a quick touch, Kim fired a shot that deflected off German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s foot and into the goal. After a review that lasted about a minute, the play was ruled onside because it was a German player who accidentally passed the ball to Kim.

The Asians added insult to injury by scoring again in the 96th minute. Neuer had come out of his goal by that point as Germany was desperate for two goals to win the game. South Korea made a long kick from near their own goal and the ball fell to Son Heung-Min, who was uncovered and far ahead of Germany’s defenders. He tapped it into the net from about a yard away to make it 2-0 and erase Germany’s hopes, four years after the European powerhouse won the World Cup in Brazil after defeating Argentina in the final.

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Mexico put up a strong fight against Sweden in the first half on Wednesday, with several scoring chances from Carlos Vela and other players. Sweden also played well in the first half. However, El Tri seemed to fall apart after halftime, and Sweden scored just five minutes following the break when Ludwig Augustinsson one-timed a pass by Viktor Claesson from a difficult angle near the right post. His high shot flew over goalie Guillermo Ochoa‘s head. Then in the 61st minute, Andreas Granqvist made it 2-0 on a penalty kick that was awarded to Sweden after defenseman Hector Morena tackled Emil Berg to the ground in the box. Sweden’s third goal was an own goal from Mexico: In the 74th minute, Edson Alvarez became overeager while playing defense and accidentally deflected the ball past Ochoa with his hand.

In the first half, Mexico’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez was reviewed for a possible hand-ball in the box that could have resulted in a penalty for Sweden in the 29th minute, but after video review the officials say Hernandez unintentionally hit the ball off his arm after bringing it down with his chest. Sweden’s coach was fuming after the call and started arguing with the Argentine referee.

Sweden, which finished first in Group F, will now face the Group E runner-up, while Mexico will play that same group’s winner in the round of 16. Those opponents will be determined after Group E’s final two games are played later on Wednesday: Brazil will face Serbia, while Switzerland plays Costa Rica. Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, was predicted to win its group again this year as usual, although today’s results prove that anything is possible in soccer.

Sweden defeated South Korea 1-0 on Monday in its opening FIFA World Cup 2018 game in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia after a video review on the play before the goal.

Sweden Vs. South Korea, Belgium Vs. Panama Recap

Captain Andreas Granqvist scored penalty in the 65th minute following Kim Min-woo’s foul on Viktor Claesson, which was analyzed thanks to a video assistant referee (VAR) after about four Swedish players pleaded for a review. No whistle came immediately after the tackle.

Granqvist sent goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo diving to the wrong side to give Sweden the edge midway through the second half. The Scandinavians — appearing in their first World Cup since 2006 — now have three points in Group F, as does Mexico after beating Germany 1-0 on Sunday.

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Sweden was missing veteran star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has retired from international soccer. The team had 15 shots on Monday, while South Korea took just four.

South Korea had a big scoring chance one minute into stoppage time in the second half, but Hwang Hee-chan‘s shot flew wide.

Pontus Jansson nearly had a chance for Sweden in the 58th minute: his fast header was saved by Cho. The Swedes also took two quick shots on a corner in the 43rd, but both were blocked.

South Korea lost Park Joo-ho to a leg injury in the 28th minute. The Asian nation may now have to beat Mexico and Germany to advance to the second round.

Later on Monday, Belgium rolled past Panama — who are playing in their first-ever World Cup — 3-0 in Sochi thanks to two goals from Romelu Lukaku and another from Dries Mertens, all of them in the second half.

Just two minutes after halftime, Mertens took a rebound and fired a one-time shot from just inside the corner of the box to put Belgium up 1-0.

Manchester United star Lukaku doubled the lead in the 69th minute after Kevin De Bruyne fed him a pass and the forward made a diving header to find the back of the net.

Lukaku struck again just six minutes after that following an assist from Eden Hazard. 

Belgian goalie Thibaut Courtois also made several solid saves during the matchup.

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England and Tunisia — who are also in Group G with Belgium and Panama — play later on Monday. For now, Belgium leads that group with three points.

On Sunday, Brazil and Switzerland tied 1-1 behind goals from Philippe Coutinho in the 20th and Steven Zuber in the 50th. Serbia leads that group (E) with three points after beating Costa Rica 1-0 on Sunday.

Three World Cup games are scheduled for Tuesday:

Colombia vs. Japan: 8am EST

Poland vs. Senegal: 11am EST

Russia vs. Egypt: 2pm EST

One year after winning the World Cup, the United States women’s soccer team has suffered a shocking upset.

U.S. Women’s Soccer Out Of Rio Olympics After Shocking Quarterfinal Shootout Loss To Sweden

After three consecutive gold medals, the American women fell to Sweden in a penalty shootout in the Olympic quarterfinals on Friday.

The US women’s team, currently led by Jill Ellis, captured the gold medal in 2004, 2008 and 2012, with the last two coming with Pia Sundhage as the American coach. However, Sundhage went home to coach Sweden after the London 2012 victory, and in Brasilia on Friday, an American team that included more than six of her former players found itself denied the opportunity to earn a fourth straight Olympic title.

Sweden gained a 1-0 lead in the 61st minute after a solid passing sequence led to a breakaway for Stina Blackstenius, whose hard, low shot beat Hope Solo and fell into the right corner of the net.

Sixteen minutes later, the U.S. responded, with a tad bit of luck. A pass from Tobin Heath bounced off the face of a Swedish defender and landed right at the feet of Alex Morgan, who fired a left-footed shot to tie it up 1-1.

In the final part of regulation, the Americans dominated, as they had much of the game, and nearly scored again on an effort from captain Carli Lloyd, but ultimately couldn’t finish.

Then came a 30-minute overtime. Lloyd scored again on a header, but was quickly ruled offside in what some judged to be a questionable call. Moments later, Sweden’s Lotta Schelin had her own goal disallowed, also due to an offside call.

Neither team came close again, which meant the game would be decided via a penalty shootout. Solo was forced to deal with one more shootout in a tournament during which she had been continuously jeered by local fans for Twitter photos and comments she posted implying concern over the Zika virus. And she did her best.

Morgan had the first shot blocked by Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl. However, on the Swedes’ third shot, Solo kept her team even by guessing right on Linda Sembrant’s shot and hitting the ball away.

Solo guessed right again on the following shot, diving to her left and nearly knocking away a shot by Caroline Seger. But the ball went in and after four rounds of the shootout it was still tied, 3-3.

Christen Press took the fifth shot for the U.S. and fired it straight over the top of the goal. That meant the pressure was on for Solo to block one last shot, or let it hope it was missed by Sweden somehow. She stalled, attempting to ice the Swedish shooter, but Lisa Dahlkvist sank the ball into the back of the net to secure the crucial victory for the Scandinavians.

The loss was the earliest exit from a World Cup or Olympics for the Americans since the international tournaments began in 1991 and 1996, respectively. The U.S. has finished at least third in every World Cup and won every gold medal game in the Olympics prior to this year, winning four golds and one silver.

BRASILIA, BRAZIL – AUGUST 12: Alex Morgan #13 of United States controls the ball against Nilla Fischer #5 of Sweden during the Women’s Football Quarterfinal match at Mane Garrincha Stadium on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 12, 2016 in Brasilia, Brazil. Sweden won 1-1 (4-3 PSO) against the United States. (Photo by Celso Junior/Getty Images)

Belgium defeated Sweden 1-0 in their final group-stage game of the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament in Nice on Wednesday thanks to a late goal from Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, thus ending superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s international career with a defeat.

Belgium Eliminate Sweden From Euro 2016 With 1-0 Win In Ibrahimovic’s Last International Game

Nainggolan, 28, who is reportedly targeted by Chelsea, controlled a cross from Eden Hazard outside the box and fired it into the net in the 82nd minute.

Belgium will now move on to the Round of 16, where they will face Hungary in Toulouse on June 26. Belgium finished second in Group E, while Sweden finished last. Italy finished first despite a 1-0 loss to Ireland on Wednesday.

The first half-hour of Thursday’s match proved to be thrilling. Sweden nearly had a great start three minutes in when a goalmouth half-volley by Marcus Berg, in for John Giudetti as strike partner to Ibrahimovic, was knocked out by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. 

Then midway through the half, Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne took a backheel pass from Hazard and fired a shot straight at Swedish goalie Andreas Isaksson. 

Sweden’s Albin Ekdal received a yellow card shortly afterwards for a last-ditch trip on De Bruyne, who twice in five minutes shot lethal crosses across the area.

Sweden’s defense was able to contain Everton forward Romelu Lukaku, whose two goals in Belgium’s previous game against the Republic of Ireland gave the team their first win of the tournament following an opening-game loss to Italy.

Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, struggled to put up any meaningful shots on goal.

The 34-year-old star striker announced his retirement from international soccer after Euro 2016 on Tuesday.

Early in the second half, Belgium nearly hd a chance when defender Thomas Meunier headed a perfect De Bruyne cross just wide of Isaksson’s near post.

Belgium had a strong penalty claim turned when a cross from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco was blocked.

Then with fifteen minutes left, Belgium almost made a breakthrough when a strong Lukaku break was foiled by Isakksson who spread his body well to the shot.

One minute later, an identical run by the Everton star, this time with a finish, was ruled offside.

A few minutes after that, Ibrahimovic was denied a goal attempt on a free kick by Courtois. A header was then cleared off the line by Meunier.

The Swedish superstar fought to the end, nearly scoring a late equaliser with a half volley, but the final minutes were instead marked by Belgian fans loudly chanting “Bye Bye Ibrahimovic!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJKtP02WESk

NICE, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden looks to control the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Sweden and Belgium at Allianz Riviera Stadium on June 22, 2016 in Nice, France. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Superstar Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced on Tuesday that he plans to retire from international soccer after the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament.

Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic To Retire From International Soccer After Euro 2016

“The last game with Sweden in the Euros will be my last game with Sweden, so I hope it won’t be tomorrow,” the 34-year-old striker and Swedish captain told a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s final Group E game against Belgium in Nice.

The Euro 2016 Cup is set to end on July 10.

There had been some speculation that Ibrahimovic could participate in this year’s Rio Olympics after he was named in an initial 35-man squad for the competition earlier this month, but the striker also ruled that out.

“This will be a big loss,” said Sweden head coach Erik Hamrén. “He is unique.”

Ibrahimovic, who holds his country’s record for most goals scored with 62, is seeking to become the first player to score in four European Championship finals. Sweden will have to defeat Belgium on Wednesday in order to stand a chance of advancing to the last 16.

“I will not participate in the Olympics because my last game will be the last game Sweden has at this Euros,” he said. “So let’s hope it goes as long as possible.”

A record 10-time winner of the national Guldbollen award for player of the year, Ibrahimovic made clear that he would end his career with his head held high regardless of Wednesday’s result.

“To finish in a disappointment, never. Because I’m very proud to be the captain of Sweden and of what I’ve achieved,” the superstar said. “I want to take this moment to thank all the supporters because they made it possible for me to achieve what I have achieved. Without them it would not have been possible,”

Ibrahimovic then continued: “Wherever I go, wherever I come, I’ll always bring the Swedish flag with me and stand with it. For me, disappointment doesn’t exist, only proudness and gratefulness. I’m very thankful. So thank you.”

Ibrahimovic is out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain after four seasons in Ligue 1, but has yet to commit to a new team. Manchester United are rumored to be the favorites to sign him.

On two occasions he has led his side to the Euro finals, but in 2012 – and in the current competition – Sweden have fallen well short of expectations. During that period they have also missed out on two World Cups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmUXLZnl0f4

PHOTO: TOULOUSE, FRANCE – JUNE 17: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden in action during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Italy and Sweden at Stadium Municipal on June 17, 2016 in Toulouse, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)