BRISBANE – Sweden picked up their fourth Girls’s World Cup bronze medal on Saturday after objectives from Fridolina Rolfo and Kosovare Asllani gave them a 2-Zero win over co-hosts Australia within the third-place playoff match at Lang Park in Brisbane.
The Swedes, ranked third on this planet, had been awarded a penalty within the 28th minute after a VAR evaluation confirmed Australia defender Clare Hunt clipped Stina Blackstenius’ heels, and ahead Rolfo slotted residence the ensuing spot kick. Sweden captain Asllani doubled their lead simply after the hour mark, rifling a candy strike from the sting of the penalty space past goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold following one other fast counter-attack.
Whereas disenchanted to log off on the World Cup with one other defeat, the Matildas nonetheless achieved their greatest outcome on the match after a stellar run, having by no means beforehand gone past the quarter-final stage. “We wished to deliver residence a medal for this staff, for the followers, for household and mates, for this nation,” Australia coach Tony Gustavsson mentioned. “We’re damage … I’m so sorry we couldn’t give everybody this bronze medal.
“I’m too emotional now to replicate on the entire journey … However once we distance ourselves from this recreation and have a look at the entire match, I feel possibly we received one thing larger than a medal, think abouting how the nation has supported us.”
Each groups had been unchanged from the perimeters that began the semi-finals, the place Australia had been crushed 3-1 by England and Sweden misplaced 2-1 to Spain. England play Spain within the ultimate in Sydney on Sunday.
Sweden began brightly and will have made a dream begin when Blackstenius fired a low drive throughout objective within the opening minute, however the try was palmed away by Arnold and cleared by defender Ellie Carpenter. The Matildas quickly discovered their passing rhythm, tearing ahead on the counter by way of Hayley Raso however the winger’s effort was blocked. Raso was denied once more halfway by way of the half, with Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic making a fantastic save.
Rolfo headed towards the bar from Asllani’s great cross shortly earlier than Sweden got a penalty, the decision loudly jeered by the capability crowd of 49,461. With the tempo of the sport selecting up, Arnold made an impressive low save to maintain out Rolfo’s free kick within the closing minutes of the half.
Moments after Gustavsson made his first substitutions, the Matildas fell additional behind, Asllani ending off an incisive break earlier than being mobbed by her delighted staff mates. Australia pushed ahead in numbers however seemed out of vitality and concepts whereas captain and star striker Kerr, who picked up a knock late within the match, was stored comparatively quiet by Sweden as they closed out the sport comfortably.