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U.S. Women's U-20 Team Eliminated in Penalty Shootout Against Brazil
Confirmed
In Short: In the Round of 16 match at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, the U.S. women's U-20 team was eliminated after a goalless first half and a 59th-minute goal by Brazil's Sofia Couto led to extra time and a penalty shootout loss.
After a goalless first half, Brazil's Sofia Couto scored in the 59th minute, opening the scoring and putting the U.S. women's U-20 team on the back foot.
The game progressed to extra time, with several players from both teams engaging in a game of pinball between Brazil's defenders and the U.S.' attackers, leading to a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Brazil successfully converted each of their attempts, while the U.S. team missed their first attempt, leading to their elimination.
This was the fourth time in 12 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup appearances that the U.S. team faced a penalty shootout, highlighting the challenges they face in such decisive moments.
Despite a strong performance, including an equalizer from Seattle Reign FC midfielder, the U.S. team could not overcome the Brazilian goalkeeper's save and the pressure of the shootout.
Background
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is also the world's fifth-largest country by area and the seventh-largest by population, with over 214 million people.
What's confirmed
- After a goalless first half, Brazil's Sofia Couto scored in the 59th minute, opening the scoring and putting the U.S. women's U-20 team on the back foot.
- The game progressed to extra time, with several players from both teams engaging in a game of pinball between Brazil's defenders and the U.S.' attackers, leading to a penalty shootout.
- In the shootout, Brazil successfully converted each of their attempts, while the U.S. team missed their first attempt, leading to their elimination.
- This was the fourth time in 12 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup appearances that the U.S. team faced a penalty shootout, highlighting the challenges they face in such decisive moments.
- Despite a strong performance, including an equalizer from Seattle Reign FC midfielder, the U.S. team could not overcome the Brazilian goalkeeper's save and the pressure of the shootout.
What's still developing
- Several players made their way towards goal during the play, eventually engaging in a game of pinball between Brazil's defenders and the U.S.' attackers, the former failing to properly clear the ball out of danger several times over.
- In the 23rd minute, outside back Hope Munson sent in a pinpoint cross from the right side that found Ullmark in the penalty box.
- The difference was Brazilian goalkeeper Thais Lima saving forward Emeri Adames’ first attempt for the USA.
- The Seattle Reign FC midfielder played an excellent match and smashed home an equalizer from outside the penalty area in the 63rd minute after Brazili had taken the lead off a corner kick in the 59th.
- McCammon’s shot took a wicked deflection off a Brazilian defender and stuck into the left side of the net.
- Paris Saint-Germain need a penalty shootout in Budapest’s Puskás Aréna to win the Champions League after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes..
- A back-and-forth game: Ousmane Dembélé absolutely nailed a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia drew a penalty in the 62nd minute, bringing the champions level.
- There were virtually no gaps between the Gunners’ lines and virtually no player in red out on that pitch ever missed a beat in the defensive third, until a foul by Cristhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia led to a penalty that Ousmane Dembélé converted to tie the match.