Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Megan Rapinoe Misses The World Cup’s Penalty Shot, Is Slammed By Fans For Confusing Reaction
2.1K

Megan Rapinoe Misses The World Cup’s Penalty Shot, Is Slammed By Fans For Confusing Reaction

ADVERTISEMENT

Megan Rapinoe, a prominent figure in the US Women’s National Team (USWNT), received significant backlash from passionate soccer fans for her emotional response following a crucial missed penalty during the Women’s World Cup.

In the midst of the penalty shoot-out against Sweden on Sunday, the 38-year-old stepped up for the USA’s fourth penalty with the opportunity to secure a potential 4-2 advantage for her team. Regrettably, her shot sailed well above the crossbar, leading to the USWNT’s elimination from the tournament.

RELATED:

    On Sunday, the US Women’s National Team’s Megan Rapinoe missed a crucial shot in the World Cup’s penalty shoot-out against Sweden

    Image credits: NurPhoto / Getty Images

    Image credits: NurPhoto / Getty Images

    While returning to the center of the field after her unfortunate kick, however, Rapinoe displayed a smirk and laughter, leading to a mix of bewilderment and anger among fans of the team – even though moments after, she was already fighting back tears.

    “Team USA’s downfall was delivered by anti-America, anti-woman activist Megan Rapinoe’s EMBARRASSING free kick here,” one Twitter comment said.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I’m generally a Megan Rapinoe fan, but laughing after a missed penalty is not a good look,’ wrote another.

    But hardcore fans were more upset about Rapinoe’s strange reaction following her miss, rather than dropping out of the tournament

    Image credits: Alex Pantling – FIFA / Getty Images

    Image credits: LangmanVince

    You can watch the emotional moment unfold yourself

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: bennyjohnson

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: bennyjohnson

    Image credits: bennyjohnson

    “I can’t believe it. I never even hit them over, ever, when they’re saved. That’s just how it goes”

    Image credits: mrapinoe

    Image credits: mrapinoe

    During her illustrious career, Rapinoe led the US team to win two World Cups, besides winning the gold medal with the national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: mrapinoe

    Image credits: mrapinoe

    In July, the 38-year-old announced this season will be her last

    Image credits: mrapinoe

    Off the field, Rapinoe gained recognition for her contributions to LGBTQ rights and for promoting equality in women’s sports

    Image credits: mrapinoe

    In 2022, she became the inaugural soccer player to be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor

    Image credits: mrapinoe

    Rapinoe, who previously declared her retirement from football, making Sunday’s performance her last on the field professionally, had this to say about her reaction: “I mean, that’s a sick joke. I just – yeah. I can’t believe it. I never even hit them over, ever, when they’re saved. So yeah, I mean, that’s just how it goes.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I’m really happy for us that we went out like that, playing the way we did [against Sweden], having a ton of joy on the ball,” she told Fox Sports after the game.

    The loss against Sweden marked the first instance in their history that the US, two-time defending champions, was unable to advance to at least the semi-finals of the World Cup.

    Image credits: mrapinoe

    Despite the tragic loss, Nike and the Bidens congratulated Rapinoe on her inspiring career

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: FLOTUS

    And so did fans of the team

    Image credits: LoshMona

    Image credits: CoreofApathy

    Image credits: S117doteth

    Image credits: gojohnnyo

    Image credits: MtnPatriot2

    Image credits: 0513White

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: anilsandhya

    Share on Facebook
    Ignas Vieversys

    Ignas Vieversys

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Ignas is an editor at Bored Panda with an MA in Magazine Journalism. When he is not writing about video games or hunting for interesting stories, chances are that you will find Ignas at the movies.

    Read less »
    Ignas Vieversys

    Ignas Vieversys

    Writer, Community member

    Ignas is an editor at Bored Panda with an MA in Magazine Journalism. When he is not writing about video games or hunting for interesting stories, chances are that you will find Ignas at the movies.

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    Read less »

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bernd Herbert
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The idiots using the word "woke" for anything they don't like are becoming more and more ridiculous and pathetic.

    Alexandra Davis
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I laugh/ smirk when I'm under pressure/ anxious or so overcome by emotion that I don't know what my body is doing- lots of people do. The only problem is she had it caught on HD tv with the capabilities to rewind and stop and pause. Most of the people berating her will have done the same at some point, just not in front of all those cameras.

    MoJo1979
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She has been clear that she saw it as a sick joke, the end of her incredible career and all she be remembered for is missing the penalty that kicked them out of the world cup.

    Mysteria
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s stupid how making a mistake during an important game gets people so hated. I vaguely remember learning about a hockey(?) player who received death threats after missing a game-winning shot or something

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Bernd Herbert
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The idiots using the word "woke" for anything they don't like are becoming more and more ridiculous and pathetic.

    Alexandra Davis
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I laugh/ smirk when I'm under pressure/ anxious or so overcome by emotion that I don't know what my body is doing- lots of people do. The only problem is she had it caught on HD tv with the capabilities to rewind and stop and pause. Most of the people berating her will have done the same at some point, just not in front of all those cameras.

    MoJo1979
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She has been clear that she saw it as a sick joke, the end of her incredible career and all she be remembered for is missing the penalty that kicked them out of the world cup.

    Mysteria
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s stupid how making a mistake during an important game gets people so hated. I vaguely remember learning about a hockey(?) player who received death threats after missing a game-winning shot or something

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Related on Bored Panda
    Related on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda