USWNT beats the Netherlands, advances to Tokyo Olympics semifinal on penalty kicks

The U.S. women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday after beating European champions the Netherlands on penalty kicks in a dramatic and grueling quarterfinal.

A tense and topsy-turvy match went to a 30-minute extra time period tied 2-2 after U.S. goalie Alyssa Naeher saved a late Dutch penalty that would’ve sent the Americans home.

And she was the hero again, saving twice in the shootout and setting up Megan Rapinoe to send the U.S. into the next round.

USWNT uses penalty kicks to escape with quarterfinal win against Netherlands at Tokyo Olympics

Just as they did in 2016, the U.S. women needed penalty kicks in their quarterfinal matchup. But unlike in Rio, when the Americans lost to Sweden, Alyssa Naeher made two monster saves to beat the Netherlands. She stopped Vivianne Miedema, who scored both of the Netherlands’ goals, on the first shot, and Aniek Nouwen on the fourth.

Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan, Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe all made theirs to give the Americans the win. They will play Canada in Monday’s semifinals.

The USWNT’s loss to Sweden on PKs in 2016 was the first time they had failed to win a medal at a major tournament. They have won their second consecutive World Cup since then – beating the Dutch in 2019 – but that loss in Rio has left a sour taste in their mouths for five years.

USWNT outlasts Netherlands in penalty shootout for Olympic semifinal berth

Facing the threat of a second consecutive quarterfinal exit at an Olympic Games on penalty kicks, the United States women’s national team executed a near-flawless shootout to shake off a worthy Dutch side and reach the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics.

The U.S. scored on all four of its kicks from the spot as goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher delivered two key saves to prevail in the shootout, 4-2. Megan Rapinoe buried the deciding penalty into the top corner to send the U.S. through.

In a rematch of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup final — which the U.S. also won, a thrilling 90 minutes ended in a dead heat at 2-2 inside Yokohama Stadium.

USWNT vs. Netherlands result: USA advances to Olympic soccer semifinals after penalty kick shootout win

After suffering quarterfinal elimination on penalty kicks at the 2016 Olympics, the U.S. women’s national team tasted victory by the shootout, knocking off No. 4-ranked Netherlands after a 2-2 draw.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was the star of the game. She stopped a potential game-winning penalty kick with 10 minutes to go in regulation and then stopped another two Dutch penalty attempts in the shootout to help the USWNT advance to face Canada in the Olympic soccer semifinals on Monday at 4 a.m. ET.

USWNT outlasts Netherlands in penalty shootout for Olympic semifinal berth

Facing the threat of a second consecutive quarterfinal exit at an Olympic Games on penalty kicks, the United States women’s national team executed a near-flawless shootout to shake off a worthy Dutch side and reach the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics.

The U.S. scored on all four of its kicks from the spot as goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher delivered two key saves to prevail in the shootout, 4-2. Megan Rapinoe buried the deciding penalty into the top corner to send the U.S. through.

In a rematch of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup final — which the U.S. also won, a thrilling 90 minutes ended in a dead heat at 2-2 inside Yokohama Stadium.

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