THE USA’S HOPES of winning a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the women’s football event has come to a surprise end at the quarter-final stage.

Defeat to Sweden on penalties will come as a massive shock to the World Cup holders, after the USA reached every final of the event since it was first included in the 1996 Games, winning four gold medals and one silver over that period.

Sweden, who are coached by former USA manager Pia Sundhage, won the shootout 4-3, after Christen Press put her attempt over the bar, leaving Sweden’s Lisa Dahlkvist to secure the winning penalty.

Earlier in the game, substitute Stina Blackstenius gave the underdogs the lead after the hour mark, with Alex Morgan scoring with 13 minutes remaining to take the game to extra time.

The result means that the reigning world champions still have never gone on to win an Olympic gold.

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