Sweden spoil the party with a 2-0 win over Australia in Brisbane this morning. Goals from Fridolina Rolfo and Kosovare Asllani proved the difference as Sweden showed their class to win their fourth World Cup bronze medal.

Viewers were treated to a brilliant game this morning, as both sides played with real freedom, knowing that there was nothing to lose.

From the onset, the tempo of the game was kept very high from both sides, who saw this match as a real opportunity to finish this World Cup on a high. It was Sweden who got off to the stronger start, forcing a crucial save from Mackenzie Arnold inside of two minutes.

Stina Blackstenius was played in by an excellent ball through the Australian defence and found herself in a dangerous position on the right-hand side of the Aussie penalty area. The Arsenal striker struck a powerful shot to Arnold’s right, with the goalkeeper coming up with the goods to deny Sweden an early goal.

Despite an early onslaught on Swedish pressure, in which the visitors enjoyed 66% possession, The Matildas responded well and looked to cause some problems of their own. A Hayley Rasso strike in the 24^th minute was the closest either side had come to scoring, her effort forcing a strong save from Zecira Musovic in the Swedish net.

Rasso was found at the back post by a wonderful Ellie Carpenter cross and controlled the ball excellently to set herself for the shot. The midfielder gave the keeper the eyes as if she was directing her striker to the far post, before powering her shot the other way, forcing a difficult save from Musovic, who could only parry the ball out for a corner.

Sweden would go on to punish The Matildas for not converting their chances as they were awarded a penalty in the 28^th minute following a clumsy tangling of legs between Clare Hunt and Stina Blackstenius. With the striker drifting away from the Aussie goal, Hunt got her foot placement all wrong, tripping up Blackstenius.

After a rather short VAR review, Chery Foster awarded the penalty to Sweden, with Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfo stepping up to take it. Rolfo powered her effort into the far-right corner, just evading the palm of Mackenzie Arnold, who came within centimetres of getting a hand to the ball. After a bright spell for Australia, it was Sweden who were on the scoreboard first.

For the remainder of the first half, it was a really open contest as Australia pushed for an equaliser. The Matildas were met by a committed Swedish defence, who did an excellent job in neutralising the threat of Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler. Kerr had the fewest touches of anybody on the pitch in the opening half, such was the effectiveness of this strong Swedish defence.

Sweden emerged from the Half-Time break with a real sense of purpose as they looked for a second goal that would potentially put the game to bed. They put the Matildas under immense pressure early on, and had the hosts camped in their own half. 15 minutes into the second half, Sweden got the goal that sank Australian hearts, an excellent finish from captain Kosovare Asllani. Despite a bright spell from Australia, they gave the ball away and Sweden countered clinically.

The omni-present Elin Rubensson stormed into the Australian half with real purpose before releasing Stina Blackstenius down the left flank. The Arsenal striker, outnumbered by Aussie defenders, produced an excellent lay-off to her teammate Asllani on the edge of the box. The attacking midfielder met the ball at a great speed, hitting her effort first time, the ball flying past Mackenzie Arnold in goal who could do nothing about the shot.

For the rest of the game Sweden were in complete control, slowing the tempo of the game down. Australia to their credit refused to go down without a fight, but despite their best efforts they were unable to breach this robust Swedish defence. Any number of Swedish players could be deemed player of the match, such was their quality around the park today, and The Matildas should hold their heads high after what has been a historic tournament for the home nation.