Sweden dismantles USWNT 3-0 in Olympic opener

The USWNT’s Olympic journey is off to a shaky start.

Sweden snapped the team’s 44-game unbeaten streak on Wednesday, besting the USWNT 3-0 in the squad’s first group stage match in Tokyo.

Sweden dominated the game for all 90 minutes, governing the midfield and running at the U.S. backline.

After a handful of solid chances early on, Sweden finally capitalized on the game’s lopsided momentum, converting off a corner kick in the 25^th minute. Stina Blackstenius nodded in a near-post header to give Sweden a 1-0 lead.

it's too early for this pic.twitter.com/v1qE0ux1XT

— Our Game Magazine (@OurGameMagazine) July 21, 2021

Blackstenius struck again in the 54^th minute, beating Alyssa Naeher at close range off a rebounded corner kick to double Sweden’s lead.

Stina Blackstenius gets it off the post to put Sweden up 2! #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/e92n4yGqhB

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 21, 2021

Sweden put the game out of reach in the 72^nd minute, when Lina Hurtig headed in a cross from Hanna Glas to make it 3-0.

Sweden AGAIN. 🚨#TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/IgGW7sD3yp

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 21, 2021

The USWNT will look to get back to its winning ways against New Zealand in the team’s second group stage game on Saturday.