The Swedish soccer team defeated the Australians 2-0 in Saturday’s game to take third place at the Women’s World Championship, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand, with a penalty converted by Fridolina Rolfö in the first half and another goal by Kosovare Asllani in the second act.
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, co-hosts of this tournament, were beaten by the toughest of their opponents. Unsurprisingly, the Swedish side’s first serious warning soon came, thanks to the work of Stina Blackstenius with a shot from the cross and from below, which the Aussie keeper saved well.
- Sweden:
Musovic; Björn, Eriksson, Ilestedt, and Andersson; Rubensson, Angeldal, Rolfö, Kaneryd (Sembrant, min. 89), Asllani (Hurtig, min. 67), and Blackstenius (Blomqvist, min. 67). - Australia:
Arnold; Carpenter (Nevin, min. 74); Hunt; Polkinghorne (Chidiac, min. 74); Catley; Raso (Vine, min. 60); Gorry (Van Egmond, min. 60); Cooney-Cross; Foord; Kerr; and Fowler. - Goals:
1-0, mins. 30: Rolfo (W); 2-0, min. 62: A little - Referee: H
Eryl Foster (gal). He dismissed the Swedes Rubensson, Hurtig, and Gorry in Australia.
In the 23rd minute, Australia responded with a right foot from Hayley Raso, which the opposition goalkeeper blocked after a cross at the far post, which the brand new Real Madrid player took advantage of to control her powerful shot and score. However, Sweden’s reaction was not long in coming and also provided the first goal.
Blackstenius got into the local area and charged to the end line after escaping an opposing defense, and just before he fell to the ground, he played the ball down the right wing. There, his teammate Asllani aimed at Rolfö’s head, whose shot hit the crossbar. But the referee checked Blackstenius’ fall and sowed doubts.
After consulting VAR, Welsh ‘braid’ Cheryl Foster ordered a penalty when she interpreted that a light touch from Australia defender Clare Hunt had caused the Sweden ’11’ to stumble. Rolfö didn’t waste the maximum penalty and put his team ahead of the post with a low shot from the left foot.
With the momentum of the game and the result in their favor, Peter Gerhardsson’s students knew how to seize the game and nip any attempt at a comeback in the bud. In fact, in the middle of the second part, the Scandinavians awarded the penalty due to a stolen ball in their own court. Asllani was quick to counterattack, helping Blackstenius face the local defense.
But the Aussies’ center-backs covered the gaps well, and Arsenal’s side fell back to Asllani, who completed a right-footed shot from inside the box that found the net halfway up—an unstoppable shot for Mackenzie Arnold, who had come to terms with evidence that Sweden had made the most of their attacks.
There was little trouble until Cheryl Foster’s final whistle, when the Swedish team stopped every action and secured victory, thereby securing the World Cup bronze. This was Sweden’s fourth time staying in third place; The previous ones took place at the 1991, 2011 and 2019 World Championships.
