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Bay Area fans gathered in San Francisco to watch the U.S. women’s team secure a win against Sweden in the 2019 Women’s World Cup on Thursday.
CNN called the match the “most difficult test thus far” for the defending champions, who emerged unscathed to make it three wins in three games in France with no goals conceded.
For athleticism, for speed, for attacking prowess the US are without equal at this Women’s World Cup. Indeed, no team has ever scored more in the group stages than the 18 goals netted by the US.
Referee Anastasia Pustovoitova indicates that VAR has been used during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
General view inside the stadium where the Sweden flag and the USA flag can be seen alongside a FIFA flag during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Tobin Heath of the USA is challenged by Nathalie Bjorn of Sweden during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Sweden players in discussion during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Kelley O'Hara and Christen Press of the USA in discussion during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
USA players celebrate following their sides victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Mallory Pugh of the USA signals during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Christen Press of the USA in action during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Stina Blackstenius of Sweden (11) and team mates look dejected after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Crystal Dunn and Kelley O'Hara of the USA celebrate after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Jill Ellis, Head Coach of USA acknowledges the fans after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
USA players huddle after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Soccer fans cheer as the U.S. Women's Soccer team scores a goal against Sweden during the second half of the final group stage match at the 2019 Women's World Cup at a public watch party on June 20, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The U.S. Women's Soccer team beat Sweden 2-0. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
USA players celebrate following their sides victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Soccer fans watch a live simulcast of the the U.S. Women's Soccer team versus Sweden in their final group stage match at the 2019 Women's World Cup at a public watch party on June 20, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The U.S. Women's Soccer team beat Sweden 2-0. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A young soccer fan holds a Swedish flag while attending a watch party of the U.S. Women's Soccer team versus Sweden in their final group stage match at the 2019 Women's World Cup on June 20, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The U.S. Women's Soccer team beat Sweden 2-0. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Soccer fans react while attending a watch party of the U.S. Women's Soccer team versus Sweden in their final group stage match at the 2019 Women's World Cup on June 20, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The U.S. Women's Soccer team beat Sweden 2-0. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A young soccer fan wears patriotic sunglasses while attending a watch party of the U.S. Women's Soccer team versus Sweden in their final group stage match at the 2019 Women's World Cup on June 20, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The U.S. Women's Soccer team beat Sweden 2-0. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Christen Press of the USA in action during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Referee Anastasia Pustovoytova signals for a USA goal after a VAR check during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
The Sweden team form a team huddle after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Kelley O'hara of the USA celebrates following her sides victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Peter Gerhardsson, Head Coach of Sweden speaks to his players during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Alex Morgan of the USA celebrates with friends and family after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Megan Rapinoe of the USA waves to the fans after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Alyssa Naeher of the USA stretches to make a save during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Referee Anastasia Pustovoytova speaks with Linda Sembrant of Sweden during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Hope Solo, Former USA player is seen following the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Hope Solo, Former USA player is seen following the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Lindsey Horan of the USA is challenged by Caroline Seger of Sweden during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Amanda Ilestedt of Sweden outjumps Carli Lloyd of the USA during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
The Sweden team create a huddle during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Caroline Seger of Sweden greets Hanna Glas of Sweden as Caroline Seger is substituted off and Hanna Glas is substituted on during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Rose Lavelle of the USA greets Christen Press of the USA as Rose Lavelle is substituted off and Christen Press is substituted on during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Abby Dahlkemper of the USA controls the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Kelley O'hara of the USA runs with the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Tobin Heath of the USA in action during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Kosovare Asllani of Sweden is fouled by Carli Lloyd of the USA during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Nathalie Bjorn of Sweden is challenged by Carli Lloyd of the USA during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
The USA team take a water break during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Kosovare Asllani of Sweden runs with teh ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Crystal Dunn of the USA crosses the ball past Nathalie Bjorn of Sweden during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Jill Ellis, Head Coach of USA and her staff look on prior to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
The USA team take a water break during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
(Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Nathalie Bjorn of Sweden is challenged by Carli Lloyd of the USA during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France.
Abby Dahlkemper of the USA controls the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Rose Lavelle of the USA greets Christen Press of the USA as Rose Lavelle is substituted off and Christen Press is substituted on during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Caroline Seger of Sweden greets Hanna Glas of Sweden as Caroline Seger is substituted off and Hanna Glas is substituted on during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
The Sweden team create a huddle during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Amanda Ilestedt of Sweden outjumps Carli Lloyd of the USA during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Lindsey Horan of the USA is challenged by Caroline Seger of Sweden during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Lindsey Horan of the USA scores her team's first goal the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Kosovare Asllani of Sweden is fouled by Carli Lloyd of the USA during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Megan Rapinoe of the USA looks on during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
General view inside the stadium prior to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between Sweden and USA at Stade Oceane on June 20, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
Sterner tests will come, but probably not until the quarterfinals when France, if the last-16 ties go as the bookies’ predict, will likely be the opponent for what would be a mouthwatering contest in Paris.
From the moment Lindsey Horan struck in the third minute in Le Havre for the quickest goal of the tournament the result was never in doubt. That a Jonna Andersson own goal was the only addition to the scoreline will probably be an irritation for a team from which much is expected.
The US wasn’t without weakness, there were occasions when the defense erred — Kosovare Asllani glided through on goal far too easily in the first half — but Jill Ellis’ side conclude the group stages as Group F winners and as justified favorites for a fourth title.
Ellis’ biggest worry is likely to be Alex Morgan’s half-time departure after a heavy challenge in the first half.
Three years ago, it was Sweden which knocked out the US at the quarterfinal stage of the Rio Olympics, the US’ worst showing in a major tournament.
Over the last three years Ellis has tinkered with rather than overhauled the team’s style of play and, so far, it has worked as the reigning champions go into the last 16 with three victories from three matches and a goal difference of +18. Germany is the only other side to progress to the knockout stages with a blemish-free defensive record.
Ellis opted for mostly the same personnel which started the record 13-0 opening victory over Thailand. Midfielder Julie Ertz — a player who kept a photo of the Sweden defeat as a screensaver on her phone to use failure to fuel the fire — was the only major absentee through injury.
With progress also assured Sweden made seven changes to the team which beat Thailand in its last outing. Four players were given their World Cup debuts for a formidable baptism on the big stage.
The US and Sweden are familiar foes. No other teams have played each other on more occasions at Women’s World Cups so Sweden should have been alert to the danger the defending champions pose at set pieces.
But when Megan Rapinoe swung in a low corner, Sweden’s defenders allowed the ball to fall into the path of Horan, leaving the impressive midfielder with a simple strike a few yards from goal. Even Thailand had held firm for longer.
Despite the US’ monopoly of possession and territory, it wasn’t until the 50th minute that the second breakthrough came.
Rapinoe was again the creator, finding the effervescent Heath who aimed at goal from an acute angle, forcing Andersson to direct the ball into her own net. Should the goal have been disallowed? Substitute Carli Lloyd appeared offside inside the box, but VAR deemed that the striker was not interfering with play.
Lloyd should have scored a third in the dying minutes, but the striker drew a fine save from Hedvig Lindahl.
The Swedes — who will play Canada next — never truly tested a US side which will now turn its attention to a last-16 match against Spain, a team which is competing in the knockout stages for the first time.
