2023 FIFA WWC: USA, Sweden to Meet at Sixth Consecutive Tournament After R16 Matchup

• Sweden beat Argentina 2-0 to progress to the knockout stage of the Women's World Cup as Group G winners
• They will face a familiar foe, the USWNT, in the round of 16 after the Americans finished 2nd in Group E
• South Africa dramatically beat Italy 3-2, their first WWC win, to earn their first-ever knockout stage spot

There is no FIFA Women's World Cup without a meeting between the United States Women's National Team and Sweden, and the two are set to meet again.

Sweden made light work of Argentina to win Group G, with South Africa picking up the other slot after a dramatic 3-2 win over Italy. It was their first-ever WWC win and earned them their first knockout stage appearance.

The USWNT progressed as Group E runners-up behind the Netherlands after a lucky 0-0 draw against debutants Portugal, who hit the post in the additional minutes.

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US, Sweden reignite rivalry

According to BR Football, it is the sixth consecutive tournament in which the two nations will be facing off.

According to Forbes, it is the most-played fixture in the competition's history with seven games. The two sides met in the inaugural Mundial in China in 1991.

The USA have won four, Sweden have won one, and the other game ended in a 0-0 draw in 2015. That was the last time the four-time world champions failed to score in a group-stage game before their tie against Portugal yesterday.

The Europeans have been at their best in this tournament, winning all three games in the group phase, joining England and Japan as the only three teams to do so, while the reigning champions gained five points, their worst group-stage outing.

Carli Lloyd berates USWNT stars

Sports Brief reported on former USWNT captain Carli Lloyd berating the US players for their dancing celebrations after the narrowly secured a draw against Portugal to reach the round of 16.

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Lloyd claimed she had never seen anything like this from the world powerhouse after veterans Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Crystal Dunn were laughing and dancing after the game.

Head coach, Vlatko Andonovski defended her team by labelling Lloyd's comments as 'insane'.