Megan Rapinoe reflected on the “balance to the beautiful side of the game” after her missed penalty helped see the USWNT knocked out of the World Cup at the earliest stage in their history.
Rapinoe, 38, was one of three U.S. players to miss in a dramatic shootout which eventually saw Sweden advance to the quarter-finals via goalline technology and a matter of millimetres.
Rapinoe, who will retire at the end of the season, has won two World Cups with her country and scored from the spot in the 2019 final win over the Netherlands.
But her final kick on the game’s biggest stage was fired over the bar, a scenario she called “a sick joke” afterwards.
“I thought we played really well. I’m so happy for us that we went out like that, playing the way we did,” she told Fox Sports.
“I mean this is like a sick joke for me personally. I’m just like this is dark comedy that I missed a penalty. I still just feel really grateful and joyful.
“I know it’s the end and that’s sad but to know this is really the only time I’ve been in one of these shows how much success I’ve had and how much I’ve loved playing for this team. It’s been an honour.”
The U.S. had reached at least the semi-finals in every World Cup to date. However, it is Sweden who will now play Japan in the last eight.
Rapinoe, who co-captained the U.S between 2018 and 2020, has used her platform at the very top of the women’s game to help drive positive change throughout a glittering career.
She was a key driver of the USWNT’s battle with U.S. Soccer for equal pay while she also supported NFL player Colin Kaepernick in his fight for social justice.
“I think this team has always fought for so much more and that’s been the most rewarding part for me,” she added.
“To know that we’ve used our really special talent to do something that’s changed the world forever. That means the most to me.”
(Photo: WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
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