Megan Rapinoe is one of the most famous and successful soccer players in the world.
She has won two World Cups, an Olympic gold medal, and numerous individual awards.
She is also known for her outspokenness and activism on various social issues.
But on Sunday, she faced a rare moment of failure and disappointment when she missed a penalty kick that could have sent the USWNT to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup.
Instead, Sweden won the shootout and eliminated the defending champions from the tournament.
Rapinoe’s reaction to her miss was surprising: she laughed and smiled, as if she couldn’t believe what had happened.
Why did she do that? In this article, we will reveal what Rapinoe said about her miss and her laugh, based on the latest information and research.
What Happened on the Penalty Shootout?
The match between Sweden and the USWNT was a tense and tight affair, with neither team able to score in 120 minutes of regular and extra time.
The game went to a penalty shootout, where each team had five attempts to score from the spot. Sweden went first and scored their first three penalties, while the USWNT missed their first one.
Rapinoe stepped up to take the fourth penalty for the USWNT, knowing that she had to score to keep her team in the game.
She ran up to the ball and kicked it with her left foot, aiming for the top right corner of the goal.
But she hit it too high and too hard, sending it over the crossbar and into the stands.
Rapinoe looked stunned and amused at the same time, as she ran back to her teammates with a wry smile on her face.
What Did Rapinoe Say About Her Miss and Her Laugh?
Rapinoe spoke to FOX Sports after the game and explained why she laughed after missing the penalty kick.
She said that it was a “sick joke” and a “dark comedy” that she missed such an important shot.
She said that she had never hit a penalty over the goal before and that she usually missed them by having them saved by the goalkeeper.
Rapinoe said that she was shocked and incredulous that she had missed in such a way, and that she had no other reaction but to laugh at herself.
She said that she felt sorry for letting her team down, but that she also accepted that it was part of the game.
“I mean this is like a sick joke. For me personally, this is a dark comedy, that I missed a penalty,” Rapinoe said. “That’s why I had that smile on my face. I’m like, ‘You’ve got to be f–king kidding me.’ I’m going to miss a penalty? I mean, honestly, I can’t remember the last time I missed.”
Rapinoe also said that she was proud of her team and their performance throughout the tournament, despite not being able to defend their title.
She said that they had fought hard and played well, but that they had faced a tough opponent in Sweden, who deserved to win.
She said that she was grateful for the opportunity to represent her country and play with her teammates, who she considered as her family.
“I think this team has always fought for so much more, and that’s been the most rewarding part for me,” Rapinoe said. “Of course, playing in World Cups and winning championships and doing all that. To know that we’ve used our really special talent to do something that’s changed the world forever, I think that means the most to me.”
