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Why was Megan Rapinoe smiling after USWNT's loss? Fans slam player over her unusual reaction after missing crucial penalty kick at 2023 WWC

Megan Rapinoe's failure at the WCC broke her five-year streak of successfully converting every single penalty kick taken since 2018

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: In a riveting showdown at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the US team faced a heartbreaking end to their pursuit of glory. In a tense and hard-fought match against arch-rivals Sweden, the teams battled to a scoreless draw through regulation and extra time. With a coveted spot in the quarter-finals on the line, the pressure intensified as the game headed to a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out.

The Stars and Stripes showcased their determination by jumping ahead with an early lead during the penalty kicks, igniting hopes of securing a historic third-consecutive World Cup triumph. However, their dreams were dashed in an unforeseen turn of events when three consecutive misses swung the momentum in favor of Sweden, sending the US team crashing out of the tournament. Megan Rapinoe, the 38-year-old forward, was one of the players who missed their penalty kicks.

Megan Rapinoe's missed penalty

As soon as Sweden missed their first penalty, it was Rapinoe's turn to take a shot and potentially put her opponents on the verge of elimination. But she apparently hit the soccer ball with too much force, causing the shot to sail over the crossbar and land among the crowd at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, further deepening the US team's anguish.

Despite the disappointment of her missed penalty, Rapinoe displayed a mix of emotions on the field. As she returned to her teammates at midfield, she hung her head but at the same time wore a smile, concerning some fans. Following Sweden's victory, she seemed to be in a lighthearted mood as she was seen conversing with teammate Lynn Williams and appeared to share laughter amid the heartbreaking defeat. 

'I am starting to think she missed on purpose'

Rapinoe's apparent on-field smile after her missed penalty shot and the team's defeat, sparked various interpretations among fans and observers. Some perceived her reaction as a lack of concern or not taking the match seriously, especially given the significance of the final at a major international tournament in her illustrious career. One user wrote on Twitter, "Serious question, have I gone crazy or does it seem like she is laughing?" Another seemed to agree, saying, "I thought the same thing. Laughing." "She laughed when she missed the pk. She shouldn’t have made this team," commented one, with a user adding, "She's laughing, I see no tears & I am starting to think she missed the PK on purpose." "She laughed after she missed her penalty also, maybe her way of dealing with it idk," wondered another fan.

Megan Rapinoe explains her uncharacteristic reaction

Rapinoe later clarified her on-field reaction, explaining that her smile and laughter were not a sign of not caring but rather a reaction of disbelief at the outcome. "I mean, this is like a sick joke for me personally," she said in a post-game interview, on the verge of tears, adding, "I'm just like, this is dark comedy that I missed a penalty."

Before Sunday's critical penalty miss, Rapinoe had maintained an impressive track record of successfully converting every single penalty kick she has taken since 2018, whether it was for her club or her country. As she approached the spot for her turn, she carried the confidence and assumption that she would once again score with ease, as she had always done in the past. With more than 4 million people watching, the sudden lapse in her five-year streak was hard for Rapinoe to fathom. Naturally, the unexpected miss left her in a state of frenzy as she faltered in such a pivotal and high-pressure moment during the match. "That's why I had that smile on my face," Rapinoe told ESPN.