Sweden pushed co-hosts Australia into an arena filled with darkness and despair as they clinched home the bronze medal in the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. With a FIFA World Ranking of 3, Sweden showed everyone as to why they are considered as a powerhouse in world football.
Notably, this was Sweden’s 4th bronze medal in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and this paints the picture of their consistency at the highest footballing stage in the world. The score-line in this FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 bronze-medal game read 2-0 in favour of Sweden.
In the 28th minute of the game, Sweden were handed a penalty through a VAR decision. This was another instance that showed as to why the VAR is such a crucial aspect in international football.
Fridolina Rolfo scored the first goal for Sweden and brought in joy to their camp. But the job was far from over as Australia had the upper hand, owing to their incredible home support.
Sweden’s skipper Kosovare Asllani scored the 2nd goal for them in the 62nd minute. She took a good aim from the edge of the penalty box and doubled up the lead for the World Number 3.
Australia advanced strategically in the 2nd half but appeared to be lacking in motivation and creativity. Their attempts to get back into the game were thwarted when star scorer Sam Kerr took a hit late in the game, and Sweden easily won.
Ultimately, it was the conviction and self-belief of Sweden that made them cross the finishing line in this high-octane game.
Australia would be pretty happy with their performance in this sojourn. This was notably, their best performance at the World Cup. The Matildas have never previously crossed the quarter final stage.
Squads
Sweden Women
- Goalkeepers: Tove Enblom (KIF Orebro), Jennifer Falk (Hacken), Zecira Musovic (Chelsea)
- Defenders: Jonna Andersson (Hammarby), Nathalie Bjorn (Everton), Magdalena Eriksson (Bayern Munich), Amanda Ilestedt (PSG), Hanna Lundkvist (Atletico Madrid), Anna Sandberg (Hacken), Linda Sembrant (Juventus).
- Midfielders: Filippa Angeldahl (Manchester City), Kosovare Asllani (AC Milan), Hanna Bennison (Everton), Elin Rubensson (Hacken), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea), Olivia Schough (Rosengard), Caroline Seger (Rosengard).
- Forwards: Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal), Rebecka Blomqvist (Wolfsburg), Lina Hurtig (Arsenal), Sofia Jakobsson (San Diego Wave), Madelen Janogy (Hammarby), Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona).
Australia women
- Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham), Teagan Micah (Rosengard), Lydia Williams (Brighton)
- Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjo GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Aivi Luik (BK Hacken), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City on loan from Hammarby), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjo GIK)
- Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjo GIK), Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann)
- Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City) Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Hayley Raso (Free agent), Kyah Simon (Free agent), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)
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