USWNT legend Rapinoe SLAMMED for laughing after missing crucial Women's World Cup penalty
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 6 Aug 2023 14:43 BST
- 6 min read
Megan Rapinoe has been heavily criticised by fans after being caught laughing after missing her penalty as the United States of America were knocked out of the Women’s World Cup by Sweden.
Rapinoe, 38, saw her spot-kick sail high and wide over the crossbar, missing the chance to put USA 4-2 up on penalties.
She then began laughing to herself while she jogged back to join her team-mates on the half-way line.
The USWNT legend was seen crying on the pitch once Sweden’s winning penalty was scored, but her immediate reaction has resulted in backlash online.
She has announced she will retire from football at the end of the current NWSL season, and Rapinoe has now made her last appearance for USWNT.
MORE: USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe announces retirement ahead of Women’s World Cup
How have fans reacted to Rapinoe laughing?
Rapinoe LAUGHING after she misses the penalty is a joke.
The #USWNT need to get their act together and start bringing in the new generation…#FIFAWWC #USA pic.twitter.com/zejj5n1Whw— amiel 🇵🇭 #LabanFilipinas (@amtcfc) August 6, 2023
Woke Rapinoe LAUGH when she ruins the chance for USA to best Sweden. Classy. pic.twitter.com/mNO1Ohv2Qo
— Avgå Annie Lööf 👠 (@AvgaLoof) August 6, 2023
I‘ve seen 717484959 ads about Rapinoe talking about how she is a legend.
You miss a penalty and you start laughing? No legend would ever do that
The disrespect to her people, her flag and country…pic.twitter.com/aGXZSGZUbR— MrDoorey (@_MrDoorey) August 6, 2023
Laughing after you miss a PK in the World Cup is a DISGRACE…Rapinoe should never be allowed near US soccer ever again pic.twitter.com/MnIiCFJmBN
— DeLo (@DeLo_77) August 6, 2023
Rapinoe laughing as she misses a World Cup changing penalty. Shame shame shame on you girl. Time to go
— Avril Brierley (@avrilbrierley) August 6, 2023
USWNT’s disappointing Women’s World Cup
Despite going into the tournament as reigning champions and the favourites to win it again, USA finished second in Group E, behind the Netherlands, and were drawn against Sweden in the round of 16.
After a 0-0 draw, the game went to penalties, with Rapinoe missing her penalty for USA; Sophia Smith then missed her penalty after having the chance to seal USA’s place in the quarter-finals, before Kelley O’Hara saw her effort bounce back off the post to give Sweden the chance to win it, which they duly did.
Sweden’s Lina Hurtig eventually scored the winning penalty, however, it wasn’t without controversy as VAR was needed to determine whether the ball had actually crossed the line.
LINA HURTIG KNOCKS OUT THE WORLD CHAMPIONS IN DRAMATIC FASHION!#SWE condemn #USA to their earliest-ever #FIFAWWC exit! pic.twitter.com/QxYB69wLaG
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 6, 2023
USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher saved Hurtig’s penalty, but her parry wasn’t strong enough and the ball crossed the line by the finest of margins to condemn USWNT to their earliest ever Women’s World Cup elimination.
