Fridolina Rolfo 29' | 1-0 | |
45' Katrina Gorry | ||
Kosovare Asllani 61' | 2-0 | |
Elin Rubensson 88' | ||
Lina Hurtig 94' |
Video
Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
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19 August 2023 | 9:00 am | FIFA Women's World Cup | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Sweden Secure Bronze Finish At World Cup
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 24th 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 28th 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.
Timeline
18. Fridolina Rolfo | 29' | |
45' | 22. Katrina Gorry | |
59' | Hayley Raso Emily van Egmond |
|
59' | Katrina Gorry Cortnee Vine |
|
9. Kosovare Asllani | 61' | |
Kosovare Asllani Lina Hurtig |
67' | |
Stina Blackstenius Rebecka Blomqvist |
67' | |
74' | Ellie Carpenter Courtney Nevin |
|
74' | Clare Polkinghorne Alex Chidiac |
|
31. Elin Rubensson | 88' | |
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd Linda Sembrant |
88' | |
17. Lina Hurtig | 94' |
Ground
Suncorp Stadium |
---|
Suncorp Stadium, 40, Castlemaine Street, Milton, Brisbane City, Queensland, 4064, Australia |
Full Time and it's Sweden who win their fourth World Cup Bronze Medal. Sweden 2-0 Australia
The tempo of the game has really slowed now, with Sweden happy to sit back and hold on to their 2-0 lead
Australia are enjoying more of the possession now, but they are still unable to breach this robust Swedish defence
Sweden look in complete control of this game after getting their second goal
GOAL for Sweden, scored by Kosovare Asllani! A brilliant first-time finish from the attacking midfielder after an excellent lay-off from Stina Blackstenius
Sweden have started this second half strongly, causing all sorts of issues for The Matildas
The Second Half gets underway
Half Time in Brisbane, 1-0 to Sweden. This is going to be an epic second half!
Looks like a nasty collision of heads between Caitlin Foord and Kosovare Asllani. Foord's eye is already very swollen, and Asllani is back to her feet as well. Now the concussion assessments are properly conducted
Super strong save from Mackenzie Arnold who denies Filippa Angeldahl from close range! She saw the ball late but made a brilliant save
Clare Polkinghorne almost gives Blackstenius a golden assist with a dodgy back pass. The striker was just unable to get the ball under control, otherwise Blackstenius would have been one-on-one with Arnold!
Kosovare Asllani's volleyed effort forces a good save from Mackenzie Arnold
Sweden have been so defensively sound this half, really neutralising the threat of Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler in attack. The Swedes are committing numbers to their defence and countering quickly when they win the ball back
Sam Kerr tries to hit back instantly, but she scuffs an effort from 20 yards, making it an easy save for Zecira Musovic
Fridolina Rolfo scores the penalty! Mackenzie Arnold was so close to saving it, but the striker tucked away her shot well!
After a VAR review Sweden have been awarded a penalty for a trip on Blackstenius from Clare Hunt
Fridolina Rolfo hits the bar with an excellent header! So close!
Hayley Rasso with Australia's first shot on target. A really powerful shot that almost catches Musovic off guard, but the Swedish goalkeeper is able to get a hand to the strike
Australia having a really good spell here, looking really dangerous with Mary Fowler in particular
Sweden have enjoyed 66% possession in this first 16 minutes
Sweden get a free kick well inside the Aussie half, but Australia deal with the danger well. The hosts are under a lot of pressure inside this opening quarter of the game
Free kick in a dangerous position for Australia here. Sweden clear the danger with relative ease and look to go on the attack again. They've started strongly!
Early chance for Sweden and Stina Blackstenius! Big save down to her right from Mackenzie Arnold. What a start that could have been!
Kick Off in Brisbane!