Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic has opened up on the "rollercoaster" experience of knocking the USWNT out in the 2023 Women's World Cup round of 16.
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Musovic starred against USWNT at World CupGoalkeeper talks GOAL through emotional scenes Stars and Stripes looking to improve under Hayes Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
The Chelsea goalkeeper was instrumental in her nation's dramatic victory, making 11 saves in normal time to send the game to penalties. In the shootout, the drama was turned up another notch. After one flawless sudden death round, Kelley O'Hara smashed her spot kick against the post, giving Lina Hurtig the chance to send Sweden through to the quarter finals.
Hurtig's penalty was easily saved by Alyssa Naeher, but after the USWNT star's stop, the ball looped into the air, with players from both sides left wondering whether the ball had crossed the line. Eventually, referee Stephanie Frappart received confirmation that it had, sparking pandemonium in the Swedish ranks and leaving Naeher with a meme-worthy bewildered look on her face.
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Speaking to to support UEFA's Rivalhood content series, part of the Queens of Football campaign for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Musovic told GOAL of her performance in the 120 minutes: "You’re in a flow. Everything just happens and comes naturally. Nothing is disturbing you. But I would say, I’ve always had the privilege to play for top teams where I don’t have to do much. So when you’re put in the situation where you have to do many saves, that’s when you’ve just got to let yourself go and enjoy the moment.
"That’s how I felt that game against the U.S. The shots just kept coming and I thought: ‘yeah, keep them coming because I’m on it today'. I was in a flow and really enjoying what I was doing. The crowd was going wild and I loved that at first they were all on the U.S.’ side but we kept them coming over to the Swedish side. I don’t know, I just love those moments when everything is at stake. Those pressure moments, I love them. That’s when I come alive."
Getty ImagesWHAT MUSOVIC SAID ABOUT THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT
Musovic did admit to feeling a little anxious when she was watching Hurtig take the winning penalty, however. "First of all, when Lina goes up, I’m the one handing the ball to her, and she asked: ‘what will happen if I score?’ I was like: ‘sh*t’. I can’t even answer. ‘If you score we’re through to the next stage and if you miss… woah’. I think I started to make something up that wasn’t at all the answer to her question because I can’t answer that answer. I don’t want to add any more pressure on you! Then she took the penalty and I was not sure if it was in or out – it was so close.
"And then the ref started waving with her hands – I don’t think she was clear enough. Was it a goal? Was it not a goal? How should we react?! Then we got the news that it was a goal, but then Alyssa Naeher, the US goalkeeper, started discussing and I was like: ‘we need to end this discussion now. It’s a goal, let’s move on. Great game. Great effort. Okay, let’s go and celebrate.’ Yeah, that was a rollercoaster. One of the sickest experiences I’ve had in football."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The fallout from the USWNT's shock, early exit from the competition was substantial. Coach Vlatko Andonovski left his post not long after, with Musovic's current manager at Chelsea, Emma Hayes, being confirmed as his replacement after a lengthy delay. The dramatic match was also Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz's last at a World Cup, with the legendary pair bidding farewell to the national team in the months that followed.