Sweden beat Australia to clinch third place at World Cup

AFP / Patrick Hamilton

Sweden picked up their fourth Women’s World Cup bronze medal on Saturday after beating co-hosts Australia 2-0 within the third-place playoff match at Lang Park in Brisbane.

Ranked third on the planet, Sweden was awarded a penalty within the twenty eighth minute after a VAR evaluation confirmed Australia’s Clare Hunt clipped Stina Blackstenius’ heels, and Fridolina Rolfo slotted residence the ensuing spot-kick.

Sweden captain Kosovare 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.

While dissatisfied to log off on the World Cup with one other defeat, the Matildas nonetheless achieved their greatest consequence on the event, having by no means beforehand gone past the quarter-final stage.

Both groups have been unchanged from the perimeters that began the semi-finals, the place Australia was crushed 3-1 by England, and Sweden misplaced 2-1 to Spain. England performs Spain within the remaining on Sunday.

Sweden began brightly and will have made a dream begin when Blackstenius fired a low drive throughout the 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 via Hayley Raso, however the winger’s effort was blocked. Raso was denied once more halfway via the half, with goalkeeper Sweden Zecira Musovic making a tremendous save.

Rolfo headed towards the bar from Asllani’s great cross shortly earlier than Sweden was given a penalty, the choice loudly jeered by the capability crowd of 49,461.

With the tempo of the sport choosing up, Arnold made an impressive low save to maintain out Rolfo’s free kick within the closing minutes of the half.

Moments after Australia coach Tony Gustavsson made his first substitutions, the Matildas fell additional behind, Asllani ending off an incisive break earlier than being mobbed by her delighted teammates.

Australia pushed ahead in numbers however regarded out of vitality and concepts. Their efforts to claw their approach again into the sport have been hampered when star striker Sam Kerr picked up a knock late on, and Sweden closed out the sport comfortably.