The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is going in full swing and it is safe to say that it has kept fans on the edge of their seats. Spain and Japan have booked their places in the quarter-finals. They will face the Netherlands and Sweden respectively. The latter managed to advance to the later stages after getting the better of the United States.
The USWNT lost 5-4 on penalties after the scoreline remained 0-0 at the end of extra time. To make things worse for USA fans, it was Megan Rapinoe who missed the last penalty for her country. For those who don’t know, the 38-year-old has arguably been one of the best players in USWNT history, along with Alex Morgan. She has won the World Cup twice with the USA and boasts an Olympic gold medal as well.
Rapinoe misses the fourth!
🇺🇸:✅✅✅❌
🇸🇪:✅✅❌ pic.twitter.com/RVbhQoclla— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 6, 2023
But it looked like it wasn’t her night when she faced Sweden in the Round of 16. She was one of the three players to miss a penalty against the European team on the night. It seems like she aimed for the top-right corner but unfortunately blasted the ball over the crossbar.
Sue Bird via Snapchat pic.twitter.com/IcEVd9e0Ck
— sue and dee updates (@sue_deeupdates) August 6, 2023
After the game, Rapinoe was at the receiving end of plenty of mockery from fans and pundits. It is no secret that she has received plenty of criticism for her opinions on world matters, and the penalty miss didn’t do the player any favors.
Despite this, her fiancée, Sue Bird, came out and supported the love of her life on social media. She wrote, “Couldn’t be prouder of this one” as per sources on X. The pair have been engaged since 2022 and revealed that marriage is on the cards. Sue Bird bid goodbye to an illustrious WNBA career last year, after winning 4 titles.
Is Megan Rapinoe retiring after her penalty miss at the FIFA Women’s World Cup?
As mentioned earlier, Rapinoe is currently 38 years old. Her age has led fans to doubt whether she would be continuing to represent the USA on the biggest stage after this. The answer to that question is that she will not be playing professional soccer again. Earlier this year, she revealed that the 2023 season will be her last, and will hang her cleats after making her debut in 2006.
It is with a deep sense of peace & gratitude that I have decided this will be my final season playing this beautiful game. I never could have imagined the ways in which soccer would shape & change my life forever, but by the look on this little girl’s face, she knew all along. pic.twitter.com/XGZ1T9i7Wy
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) July 8, 2023
After the penalty miss, the superstar said the miss was a “Sick joke.” She added, “That’s why I had that smile on my face. Like, ‘You got to be f—ing kidding me. I’m going to miss the penalty?’ I honestly can’t remember the last [time] I missed a penalty. Not in a game for a very long time.”
It is unfortunate to see that a legend of women’s soccer will be leaving the stage in the worst way possible. A FIFA World Cup exit will be a tough one to swallow for any player, let alone one who has led her country to glory multiple times in the past.
Rapinoe currently represents OL Reign, who is 4th in the NWSL. Rapinoe has the chance to taste success with the club, especially in the NWSL Challenge Cup.