Donald Trump has taken to social media to unleash an extraordinary attack on the US team after the FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign came to a screaming halt on Sunday night.
The defending champions crashed out of the World Cup with a gut-wrenching loss to Sweden in the round of 16, beaten 5-4 on penalties in dramatic circumstances.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Megan Rapinoe under fire for strange reaction to missed penalty.
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Goalkeeper Zecira Musovic was the hero for Sweden, keeping scores deadlocked at 0-0 with a series of brilliant saves as her side were outplayed by the tournament favourites for two hours.
The match came down to penalties, and retiring US legend Megan Rapinoe was seen as the enemy, copping it from furious American fans for her strange reaction to a crucial missed penalty.
With her last ever kick in international football, Rapinoe’s shot went flying high over the crossbar, after which she couldn’t help but let out a frustrated laugh.
Fans were quick to lash Rapinoe, and Trump – who’s had a long-running feud with the 38-year-old star – took it one step further.
“The “shocking and totally unexpected” loss by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to the our (sic) once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden,” he wrote on his own social media platform Truth Social.
“Many of our players were openly hostile to America – No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close.
“WOKE EQUALS FAILURE. Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA.”
Three American misses, including the one by Rapinoe and a crucial shot off the post by Kelley O’Hara before Hurtig’s winner, led to Sweden’s triumph.
It is the first time the US have been beaten before the semi-final stage of a World Cup, while Sweden advance to face Japan in a quarter-final in Auckland on Friday.
US coach Vlatko Andonovski and his top-ranked team had come under intense scrutiny after lacklustre performances in the group stage.
But they came out swinging against world No.3 Sweden, dominated possession and had 22 shots at goal, including 11 on target.
Fans have also attacked an advertising campaign that was launched by the US team ahead the World Cup, and asked the question, ‘How do you stop the US team?’.
It was said to have “aged like milk”, while many have thought it to whiff of arrogance.
Commentator and former American footballer and Alexi Lalas has questioned the image of the women’s team.
“Don’t kill the messenger. This USWNT is polarizing,” Lalas said.
“Politics, causes, stances, and behavior have made this team unlikeable to a portion of America.
“This team has built its brand and has derived its power from being the best/winning. If that goes away they risk becoming irrelevant.”
– With AAP
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