Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic baffled by reporter’s ‘disrespectful’ question about Zlatan Ibrahimovic

A reporter's question to Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic during a recent post-match press conference has been branded "utterly disrespectful".

Sweden secured their place in the Women's World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday after they beat one of the tournament favourites USA in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

After both teams could not be separated after 120 minutes thanks, in part, to some incredible saves from Musovic, many expected the four-time champions to progress.

But Peter Gerhardsson's side came out on top after Kelley O'Hara, Sophia Smith and Megan Rapinoe missed from 12 yards.

Musovic, meanwhile, didn't need to make a single save in the shootout but some heroics in normal time earned her the much-deserved Player of the Match award.

After the full-time whistle, Musovic was asked in a press conference if she knew former Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The 27-year-old Chelsea goalkeeper, who seemed taken aback by the question, replied: “In Sweden, everyone knows Zlatan.”

The reporter's decision to ask a question about Ibrahimovic rather than the game itself was criticised by many on social media.

BBC Sport journalist Emma Smith said: "I was sat two seats along from the journalist who asked this and could not believe what I heard. Utterly disrespectful after an incredible performance and a remarkable match/result

"Also, we only got three questions to Musovic at the press conference. One of them was this bollocks."

Another fan commented: "Musovic was phenomenal tonight. Not only does this pathetic question do her a massive disservice after one of the biggest games of her life, it makes the ‘journalist’ look an absolute fool whilst undermining the women’s game to the casual fan. Incredibly frustrating."

A third added: "I also wonder WHY he asked this question too. How does this relate to the game she just played."

Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson praised Musovic's performance against the United States, and even suggested that her efforts in normal time psyched out her opponents during Sunday's shootout.

"When you come to a penalty shootout, it's the goalkeeper's game," he said.

"[Mušović] likes when it comes to penalties, she knows it's her game. I don't know what she did, what mental thing that she did to make them put them over the bar and things like that.

"But I think goalkeepers like these kinds of penalties, they're mentally prepared, that's their game.

"She was good in the game. Even if she didn't save any penalties, I think for the other team, maybe they put it outside because they know that if it's not a good penalty, maybe she takes it."