With SWE winning by just four, the USA knew they clinched the goal differential if they ended up tied with SWE in the final match, so the USA made 7 changes to their starting lineup. And it didn't stop the USA as they dominated F3-Chile and scored three goals in the first half again. CHI only had one shot and no shots goal. However, they ran into a buzzsaw named Christiane Endler who seemed to make more than the six saves she was credited with and kept USA off the scoreboard for the last 55 minutes. USA's 3-0 win sent them to the Round of 16 for the 7th time and also sent D4-Japan in the Knockout Stage who are guaranteed at least a top 4 third-place finish.
While the THA celebration was great, the USA celebrated with more muted celebrations including the polite "golf clap" and the bench not joining the fray. But since all the goals were in the first half, it really wasn't appropriate since the controversy only dealt with goals late in the game while in a blowout. And winning 3-0 is far from a blowout. But a fun response anyway. Carli Lloyd had a couple goals and set a new record by scoring in her 6th straight WWC match. She had a chance for a hat trick but was denied by Endler and then on a PK, missed it wide left.
Lloyd's PK was awarded after a VAR review late in the match as was the SWE PK in the 90'+5. Both were soft reversals and both were unnecessary since both games were way out of reach.
With all 44 entries picking SWE and USA, there was no change at the top. Fotografo il Migliore and Pazzo Americano are tied for first with 22 points. Soccerhorn is still last with 15 pts. For the next four days, there will be four matches each and each entry can earn up to 16 points per day with four matches (4 pts) and four R16 teams (12 pts). So those who have the 9 teams already in the R16 will get those points after each group finishes their matches.
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