Goals from Fridolina Rolfo and Kosovare Asllani saw Sweden beat Australia 2-0 to finish third at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Rolfo put Sweden ahead in the 30th minute with a calmly struck penalty into the bottom right corner, after Clare Hunt had fouled Stina Blackstenius in the 26th minute penalty which led to a Video-Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
Asllani wrapped up victory with a one-two counter-attack move with Blackstenius in the 62nd minute, which she finished with a strike into the bottom right corner.
Sweden have now finished third at four Women’s World Cup as well as at consecutive tournaments for the first time, having beaten England in this play-off in 2019.
Despite enduring late semi-final heartbreak against Spain, Sweden started on the front foot as Blackstenius quickly pounced upon a forward pass but her shot was saved by Mackenzie Arnold.
That early scare sprung Australia into life but neither team created any clear-cut chances until Jonna Andersson cleared Caitlin Foord’s 18th minute cross, from which Clare Polkinghorne nodded the subsequent corner wide.
Australia almost snatched the lead three minutes later as Ellie Carpenter broke forward up the right flank, and Hayley Raso met her cross only for the Real Madrid forward’s shot towards top left corner to be punched behind by Zecira Musovic.
Sweden five minutes later broke forward up the other end with Kosovare Asllani’s cross headed onto the crossbar by Fridolina Rolfo.
VAR however noticed Hunt having clipped Blackstenius to the ground in the build-up, which duly saw a penalty awarded in the 28th minute after referee – Cheryl Foster conducted a pitchside monitor review.
Rolfo stepped up a minute later and dispatched the penalty kick beyond Arnold’s reach into the bottom right corner, which put Sweden ahead and on course for a fourth Third-Place finish at a Women’s World Cup, plus their second such finish in consecutive World Cups.
Asllani almost doubled Sweden’s lead before half-time as she met Andersson’s 40th minute cross up the left flank, but her header towards the top left corner was saved by Arnold.
Arnold was once again the hero for Australia to keep their half-time deficit to just one goal as she made a crucial block of Filippa Angeldahl’s injury-time shot, after the Swede gathered possession during a scramble from a free-kick and unleashed a powerful strike from close-range.
Australia however weren’t able to break down Sweden’s resilient defence early in the second half which saw very few clear-cut chances created at either end.
Sweden’s experience in this type of game eventually shone in a moment of pure magic in the 62nd minute as Asllani broke forward on the counter, with a pass to Blackstenius who pulled back for her to calmly rifle into the bottom right corner to double the Swedes’ lead.
Despite hopes of a positive finish to their home tournament having looked over, Australia almost pulled a goal back in the 70th minute as Hunt knocked a header down for Polkinghorne whose shot was saved by Musovic from close range.
The Aussies plus Chelsea supporters were handed a huge scare in the 75th minute as Sam Kerr went down under a heavy foul from her ex Chelsea teammate, Magdalena Eriksson, although she was able to continue after receiving treatment.
Sweden eventually dug deep to become the first team to finish third in consecutive tournaments since USA achieved that feat in 2003 and 07 tournaments, although the Swedes are the first team to reach that achievement on foreign soil as USA had hosted the 2003 edition.
What’s Next?
Sweden will now turn their attention to the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League this Autumn, which sees them play their World Cup semi-final conquerors – Spain plus Italy and Switzerland in League A4.
Their first match in that tournament sees them take on Spain in Gothenburg, before facing Italy four days later on 26 September.
Australia meanwhile will take on Iran, Philippines and Chinese Taipei between 26 October – 1 November in 2024 Olympic Qualifiers.
Teams
Sweden: Zecira Musovic, Nathalie Bjorn, Amanda Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson, Filippa Angeldahl, Elin Rubensson, Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd (Sembrant 89′), Kosovare Asllani (Hurtig 67′), Fridolina Rolfo, Stina Blackstenius (Blomqvist 67′)
Substitutes: Jennifer Falk, Tove Enbolm, Linda Sembrant, Stina Lennartsson, Anna Sandberg, Madelen Janogy, Lina Hurtig, Sofia Jakobsson, Rebecka Blomqvist, Caroline Seger, Hanna Bennison, Olivia Schough
Australia: Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter (Nevin 74′), Clare Hunt, Clare Polkinghorne (Chidiac 74′), Steph Catley, Hayley Raso (Vine 60′), Katrina Gorry (van Egmond 60′), Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr
Substitutes: Lydia Williams, Courtney Nevin, Aivi Luik, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Alex Chidiac, Emily van Egmond, Teagan Micah, Tameka Yallop, Alanna Kennedy, Kyah Simon, Charlotte Grant
Referee: Cheryl Foster (Wales)
Attendance, 49,461