Full Time in the Waikato Stadium where Sweden have beaten Argentina 2-0 in the final group game in group G to keep up their perfect record.

Sweden finish as Group G winners, and as such will play the United States on Sunday morning, whilst Argentina have crashed out of the tournament at the group stages yet again. The South Americans produced moments of excellence throughout this game, but ultimately did not have enough to cause Sweden any serious issues.

The opening exchanges of this game were tight and tense, neither side able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Sweden came into this match having made nine changes to their starting line-up, with the centre-back pairing of Amanda Ilestedt and Magdalena Eriksson the only survivors from Saturday’s 5-0 win against Italy. Ilestedt, having scored two headers that day, would prove her danger from set pieces yet again in this game.

The permutations for Argentina heading into this match were as such; Argentina needed to win to even have a chance at qualifying for the Round of 16, and even still they had to rely on Italy dropping points. If Italy were to win against South Africa, Argentina could not qualify. If Italy drew with South Africa and Argentina won, Argentina would progress of Goal Difference. If South Africa and Argentina were to win, it would again come down to goal difference.

It was set to be a monumental task for Argentina, facing the 2019 Semi-Finalists who had found their form just days prior, but the South Americans were unphased as they headed into today’s match. Argentina survived a flurry of Swedish corners midway through the first half, goalkeeper Vanina Correa and her defence able to clear the ball from danger. Having scored three of their five goals against Italy from corners, Sweden would look to use the set piece as a weapon, dangerous crosses looking for the head of Amanda Ilestedt. Argentina had clearly picked up on this danger in their pre-match analysis and did well to limit any serious chances from Swedish set pieces.

Sweden would come closest to breaking the deadlock in the 29^th minute, after Olivia Schough came close with a headed effort, only for her attempt to drift wide of the target. Making a dangerous run down her right wing, Sofia Jakobsson was able to get the better of Eliana Stabile and cross a dangerous ball into the Argentinian box. Schough found herself in acres of space for the header, but was unable to direct her effort on target. Argentina could breathe a sigh of relief.

The remainder of the first half would be a tetchy affair, neither side creating any clear-cut chances. Tensions between the two sides were certainly raised in the opening 45 minutes, both sides picking up a yellow card.

Distressing scenes also in the 38^th minute, as Argentina’s Florencia Bonsegundo hit the deck following an awkward landing and a jarring placement of her leg on the pitch. Bonsegundo looked to have damaged her right knee badly, as she lay in pain on the ground. With tears in her eyes, the stretcher was called to the pitch and the winger taken off in it. We can only hope it’s not another ACL injury.

For much of the second half, it was a tight contest that lacked any real quality. That all changed in the 67^th minute when Hanna Bennison picked up the ball just inside the Argentinean half; the midfielder produced an excellent run through the heart of the Argentinian defence before releasing Sofia Jakobbson down the right wing. Jakobbson took one touch to set herself, before producing a wonderful cross into the box, where it was met at the back post by a bullet header from Rebecka Blomqvist. The striker’s header rattled the net, her effort sailing past Correa before she even knew about it. The goal was a real moment of quality from Sweden, who looked far from their usual best for much of this game.

The goal made the mountain that much harder for Argentina to climb, now needing to score two goals. The South Americans failed to create any serious chances on the Swedish goal and were unable to cause any real problems for the inexperienced Jennifer Falk.

Sweden would add to their tally on the night in the 90^th minute from the penalty spot. Following a dangerous cross from Elin Rubensson, Rebecka Blomqvist was dragged down inside the penalty area by Gabriela Chavez right in front of the referee. A penalty was awarded, and there could be no complaints from the defender, who pulled down her opponent blatantly. Rubensson, who played in the dangerous cross, stepped up to take the penalty, calmly powering it into the top left corner, leaving Correa in the Argentinian net with no hope.

Despite their best efforts late on in this game, Argentina succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sweden, who march on to the last 16 as Group G winners. Argentina bow out at the Group Stages again, but they have produced some wonderful moments during this year’s tournament, most noticeably their comeback against South Africa last Friday.

Full Time in Waikato Stadium, Argentina 0-2 Sweden