Penalty shootouts are cruel at best, but this one sealed the most heartbreaking of exits for a hero of women's football; an exit all the more unfathomable because fate had been at her own feet, writes Kate O'Halloran.
The superstar, who has been the architect of so many USA victories, had the chance to seal the match with a penalty. It was the perfectly scripted, fairytale ending, but like so many times this tournament, the script was flipped. Maybe even burned.
After more than two hours of dominating possession and shots on goal , the reigning champions were simply out of answers, and luck. Her feats were all the more incredible given she isn't the first-choice keeper at Chelsea, while coach Peter Gerhardsson had also said her selection was a "line-ball" call over Jennifer Falk.
If not for Capeta hitting the post in the 90th minute, the world champions would already have been sent home. Insane, perhaps, but the world number one team was unable to step up when it counted most against Sweden in Melbourne.
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