The Americans, ranked No. 1 in the world and the favorites
to win gold in Tokyo, were riding a 44-match unbeaten streak heading into the
match.
But Sweden, ranked No. 5, has been the U.S. team's nemesis
of sorts in recent years. The Swedes bounced the Americans from the 2016 Rio de
Janeiro Games in the quarterfinals, the earliest U.S. Olympic exit ever.
Then in April, Sweden played the United States to a 1-1 draw
in Stockholm, which snapped a winning streak dating back to January 2019, when
the Americans lost to France in the run-up to the World Cup.
Blackstenius' header into the far corner off a cross from
Sofia Jakobsson in the 26th minute gave Sweden the first-half lead.
The United States came out stale, with its best chance of
the opening half coming in the final moments when Rose Lavelle's shot hit the
post. Coach Vlatko Andonovski made changes for the second half, subbing in
Carli Lloyd for Alex Morgan and Julie Ertz for Sam Mewis.
But Blackstenius scored again in the 54th minute, beating
goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, as the Americans continued to struggle. Lina Hurtig
then scored in the 72nd.
The loss was the first for the United States under
Andonovski, who took over when former coach Jill Ellis stepped down following
the team's World Cup victory in France.
The Swedes were without Magda Eriksson because of injury.
The team said she has been training, but because of the compact schedule of the
tournament she was held out of the opener.
Tokyo is Sweden’s seventh Olympics. After eliminating the
Americans on penalties in the quarterfinals five years ago, the Swedes went on
to win the silver medal, losing to Germany 2-1 in the final.
The United States has four Olympic gold medals, more than
any other nation. The team is vying to become the first to win Olympic gold
following a World Cup title.
Sweden now leads Group G heading into Saturday's game
against Australia in Saitama, while the United States faces New Zealand. The
top two teams in the group advance the knockout round.
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