Megan Rapinoe has explained why she was laughing and smiling after missing a crucial penalty kick in the United States’ shock Women’s World Cup exit.
The 38-year-old, who has now played her final game for the USWNT, was panned by fans for her immediate reaction to blazing her kick over the crossbar in Sweden’s 5-4 shoot-out win on Sunday.
As Rapinoe jogged back to the halfway line where her team-mates were standing, she appeared to be smirking and laughing to herself.
Rapinoe was later seen crying alongside her devastated team-mates as the US – the competition’s defending champions – crashed out at the last-16 stage in Melbourne.
Explaining her initial reaction afterwards, Rapinoe said: ‘That’s like a sick, sick joke. I’ve never hit it over, when I miss they are saved. That’s why I had that smile on my face.
Megan Rapinoe laughed to herself after she missed a crucial penalty for the United States in their Women’s World Cup last-16 exit to Sweden on Sunday
She was still laughing as she rejoined her team-mates at the halfway line during the shoot-out
‘I’m like, ‘You’ve got to be f***ing kidding me.’ I’m going to miss a penalty? I mean, honestly, I can’t remember the last time I missed.’
Indeed, it had been five years since Rapinoe last missed a penalty, in a NWSL match, but this one proved far more costly as she was denied the fairytale finish to her international career.
Speaking to FOX after the defeat, Rapinoe said: ‘I thought we played really well, I am so happy for us that we went out playing the way that we did.
‘This is dark comedy, I missed a penalty. This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game.
‘I felt really grateful and joyful and I know this is the end and that is sad. This is the only time I have been in one of these [losing a World Cup penalty shoot-out] – it has been an honour.’
Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup winner, played every game as a substitute. She had entered this one in extra-time but had struggled to make much of an impact during her time on the field.
In the heat of the moment as the US lost to Sweden, many fans were furious at Rapinoe’s seemingly happy reaction to missing her kick.
Rapinoe’s kick cleared the crossbar as she was one of three US players to miss in the shoot-out
Moments later, Rapinoe was in tears as her USA career ended with an underwhelming defeat
Rapinoe blazed her penalty over the crossbar and said the moment felt like ‘a sick joke’
Rapinoe looked devastated as the Sweden victory started to sink in for her and her team
‘I don’t see what’s funny about this?’ one fan wrote on Twitter in response. ‘The laughing shows how much this team took this as a joke. So much for being a role model for the rest of the team.’
Another said: ‘I’m generally a Megan Rapinoe fan, but laughing after a missed penalty is not a good look.’
A different USWNT supporter said: ‘Megan Rapinoe laughing after she missed a game winning pk… never happier to see a player retire. Never want to see her on my tv again. What a way to end your career.’
Another USA fan tweeted: ‘Megan Rapinoe laughing after missing her PK will be in my nightmares. What a joke.’
Sweden, who prevailed on penalties after a goalless draw in Melbourne, will face Japan next in the quarter-finals.
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