Rapinoe: ‘It’s dark comedy that I missed a penalty’

The veteran’s World Cup career ironically ended with a missed penalty

Megan Rapinoe said that missing a penalty kick in a shootout is “dark comedy” after the U.S. women’s national team crashed out of the 2023 World Cup.

After a 0-0 draw against Sweden over 120 minutes, the USWNT fell 5-4 in an agonizing penalty shootout as they were eliminated in the last 16.

Three USWNT players missed penalties in the shootout, with Rapinoe joined by Kelley O’Hara and Sophia Smith in missing the goal entirely.

Rapinoe is typically deadly from the penalty spot, having scored three penalties in the knockout stage alone during the 2019 World Cup.

Speaking to Fox Sports after her last World Cup game with the USWNT, Rapinoe noted the irony of missing a spot kick in the shootout.

“I thought we played really well,” Rapinoe said. “I’m so happy for us that we went out like that, playing the way that we did and having a ton of joy on the ball.

“I mean, this is like a sick joke. For me personally, I’m just like, this is dark comedy I missed a penalty. Alyssa [Naeher] came up huge though, kept us in it, obviously scoring one herself.”

She added: “This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game. I think it can be cruel and just [wasn’t] our day. But I still just feel really grateful and joyful. I know it’s the end and that’s sad, but to know that this is really the only time I’ve been in one of these this early (an interview after an early exit from the tournament) says so much about how much success I’ve been able to have, and just how much I’ve loved playing for this team and playing for this country. It’s been an honor.”

In his post-game press conference, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski paid tribute to Rapinoe while expressing his surprise to see her miss a vital penalty.

“Megan Rapinoe is a legend,” the coach said. “If I had my life on the line right now, and I had to pick who was going to take the penalty, Megan Rapinoe is my choice.”

Watch Rapinoe’s post-game interview

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