Sweden captured 3rd spot in FIFAWWC 2023 with 2-0 win over Australia

 


Hosts Australia failed to secure a bronze medal as the more experienced Sweden put up a clinical display to outplay the Matildas to win the 3rd place playoffs by 2-0 at Brisbane in front of nearly 50000 capacity crowd . 



The Swedish women's football team secured their fourth bronze medal in the Women's World Cup , Globally 3rd ranked Sweden were given a penalty in the 28th minute upon a VAR review. It revealed that Australia’s Clare Hunt tripped Stina Blackstenius. Rolfo slotted the ball crisply past Arnold's outstretched left palm to put Sweden ahead . 



The visitors captain Kosovare Asllani put Sweden 2 up at the  60-minute mark with a sublime goal from the penalty area's edge.

 Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold watched helplessly as the ball thudded into the net off a backward cross from the left 



Australia women although disappointed  with back to back losses to England and Sweden , managed to accomplish their best-ever performance at the tournament, having never advanced beyond the quarter-finals in previous years.


The Swedes displayed immediate initiative and nearly scored in the first minute when a low drive from Blackstenius was brilliantly saved by  Arnold. Australia’s defender Ellie Carpenter managed to clear the ball after Arnold's initial save.


The Swedes dominated the exchanges and looked a cut above the Aussie girls who had 24 hours less to recover after their semis loss to England 

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However Australia fought hard showcasing their impressive passing skills and forward movement during a counter-attack led by Hayley Raso. However, Raso's attempt was deflected, and a subsequent shot blocked, thanks to the Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic’s alertness .


Just before the penalty was granted to Sweden, Rolfo's header off a brilliant cross rattled the bar. 


Australia kept attacking towards the end of first half  . The game continued in the 2nd half with Sweden not resting on their laurels as they never really allowed the Aussies  to get a grip on the match.  All of Australia's efforts were blocked by the impregnable Swedish defence as they did not allow any opening. Finally the Swedes scored their 2nd goal with 30 minutes remaining  after which there was no way back for the hosts .


Meanwhile England and Spain are to clash in the 2023 Fifa women's world cup final on 20th August . While England beat Australia 3-1 to reach the final , Spain beat Sweden 2-1 in a thriller to reach the title round to be played at Sydney .

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