Izuchukwu Okosi
Surprise semifinalists, Sweden, picked up their fourth Women’s World Cup bronze medal Saturday afternoon after beating co-hosts Australia 2-0 in the third-place play-off in Brisbane.
Top teams expected to reach the latter stages of the tournament like Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, France and Japan were unable to make it to the ‘last four’ in Australia and New Zealand.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Swedes, ranked third in the world, were awarded a penalty in the 28th minute after a VAR review showed Australia’s Clare Hunt clipped Stina Blackstenius’ heels, and Fridolina Rolfo slotted home the resulting spot kick.
Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani doubled their lead just after the hour mark, rifling a sweet strike from the edge of the penalty area beyond goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold following another quick counter-attack.
Both teams were unchanged from the sides that started the semi-finals, where Australia were beaten 3-1 by England and Sweden lost 2-1 to Spain.
Sweden started brightly and could have made a dream start when Blackstenius fired a low drive across goal in the opening minute, but the attempt was palmed away by Arnold and cleared by defender Ellie Carpenter.
The Matildas soon found their passing rhythm, tearing forward on the counter through Hayley Raso but the winger’s effort was blocked. Raso was denied again midway through the half with goalkeeper Sweden Zecira Musovic making a fine save.
Rolfo headed against the bar from Asllani’s wonderful cross shortly before Sweden were given a penalty, the decision loudly jeered by the capacity crowd of 49,461.
With the pace of the game picking up, Arnold made a magnificent low save to keep out Rolfo’s free kick in the closing minutes of the half.
Moments after Australia coach Tony Gustavsson made his first substitutions the Matildas fell further behind, Asllani finishing off an incisive break before being mobbed by her delighted team mates.
Australia pushed forward in numbers but looked out of energy and ideas. Their efforts to claw their way back into the game were hampered when star striker Sam Kerr picked up a knock late on and Sweden closed out the game comfortably.
England play Spain in the final on Sunday with the Three Lionesses looking to become the first English side to win a senior World Cup – men and women – since the 1966 triumph.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
