US goalkeeper Hope Solo in bitter blast at Sweden after shock exit

ByEurosport

Updated 12/08/2016 at 23:46 GMT

Controversial American goalkeeper Hope Solo has branded Sweden's football team 'a bunch of cowards' after the holders crashed out of Rio at the quarter-final stage on penalties.

Hope Solo of the US.

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Sweden recorded one of the sport's biggest shocks by beating the holders 4-3 on penalties after the two sides drew 1-1 after extra time.

“I thought we played a courageous game," said Solo. "I thought we had many opportunities on goal.

Sweden's footballers celebrate the victory over US during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Quarter-finals women's football match USA vs Sweden, at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia on August 12, 2016.

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“I think we showed a lot of heart. We came back from a goal down, I’m very proud of this team. And I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today, I strongly, firmly believe that."

Solo has already prompted controversy at these Games by appearing with anti-mosquito gear before the event, apparently in reference to the Zika virus that has blighted Brazil.

She has been taunted with cries of "Zika" before every goal-kick, and was at fault for two goals as the US side lost to Colombia in their final group game.

Solo, the high-profile goalkeeper for the World Cup-winning USA Women's football team, had been accused of domestic violence in a family dispute.

Solo's half-sister about the alleged incident in June 2014 which saw .

The charges were later dropped, but have now been reinstated following a local judge's decision in the wake of an appeal by prosecutors.

She will play no further part in this tournament after Lisa Dahlkvist converted Sweden's final penalty after Alex Morgan and Christen Press missed for the holders in the shoot-out. Linda Sembrant also missed for Sweden.

American goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Image credit: Eurosport

The United States, who dominated large parts of the match, have won four of the last five Olympic golds and had never not reached the Games final.

Sweden scored against the run of play after 61 minutes when Stina Blackstenius ran on to a defence-splitting pass and calmly slotted the ball past U.S. keeper Hope Solo.

The US however, kept plugging away and scored a deserved equaliser after 77 minutes as the ball ricocheted off the face of Jessica Samuelsson and fell perfectly for Morgan to fire home from eight metres.