Sweden booked their place in the Round of 16 after beating Italy 5-0 this morning in Wellington. The group favourites started this game slowly and uncharacteristically, failing to register a shot on target until the 25^th minute, but a late flurry in the first half saw the 2019 Semi-Finalists score three goals in seven minutes. 

Italy made a bright start to this game, pinning the Swedes back for much of the opening 20 minutes, creating numerous chances. The one change Italy made to their starting line-up that faced Argentina on Monday was the inclusion of Sofia Cantore in place of Valentina Giacinti, and Cantore looked dangerous from the off. The winger had a shot on target saved inside the opening two minutes, driving down her right wing before powering a shot at Zecira Musovic, who gathered the ball at the second time of asking. 

Italy looked dangerous in the opening quarter of the game, causing all sorts of chaos for the Swedish defence and goalkeeper Zecira Musovic. Cantore again looked dangerous, driving down her wing before powering a shot towards goal. What should have been a comfortable save for Musovic was then spilled into the path of an oncoming Lucia Di Guglielmo, whose effort was then dragged wide. Musovic could breathe a sigh of relief.

For much of the first half, Sweden were unable to get into their usual rhythm thanks to the strength and determination of the Italian defence. For large swathes of the opening 45 minutes Sweden were unable to make simple passes, and were unable to get the ball up the pitch to the dangerous Stina Blackstenius. 

Sweden would kick into life in the 28^th minute, as they began to benefit from a tiring defence, they were now able to get into their usual rhythm. An excellent run down the right wing from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd earned Sweden a corner following a block from Italian left-back Lisa Boattin. The resulting corner was swung in dangerously by Jonna Andersson and was met by the head of centre-back Amanda Ilestedt, who notched it beyond the goalkeeper to score her second headed goal in as many games in this World Cup. Ilestedt produced a wonderfully timed jump to beat the out-coming goalkeeper Francesca Durante and the scrambling Italian defence. Very much against the run of play, Sweden found themselves ahead in this game. 

They would go on to double their lead just five minutes later from another corner. This time, Andersson’s cross would elude those at the front post, making its way to Fridolina Rolfo at the back post, who kneed the ball goal-wards where it crossed the white line, doubling Sweden’s advantage in this game. Two wonderful corners from Andersson caused havoc in the Italian penalty area, Sweden ruthlessly converting.

The Swedes smelt blood, and went on to score just two minutes later, on the brink of Half Time. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was played in down the right-hand side by a wonderful pass from Kosovare Asllani. Kaneryd played a dangerous ball across the box, where it was initially neutralized. However, the Italians scrambled to clear the ball and failed to deal with the danger. The ball broke in the direction of Stina Blackstenius, and Italy’s Elena Linari slid in to try and clear the ball away, however she then hit the ball against Blackstenius, with it then rebounding into the back of the Italian net.

Sweden were ruthless at the end of the first half, and really put the game to bed. However, they wouldn’t stop there. Just four minutes into the second half, another dangerous corner from Andersson found the head of Ilestedt at the front post, the centre-back timing her jump to perfection against two Italian defenders, before powering her header into the top-right-hand corner. Durante opted not to come to try and claim the ball, but could only watch as the ball fired past her in the blink of an eye. Ilestedt was now level with Brazil’s Ary Borges at the top of the Golden Boot table.

A late solo goal from Rebecka Blomqvist in the 95^th minute would add to Italy’s woe’s, the substitute running 40 yards with the ball one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Blomqvist showed great composure to calmly slot the ball past Durante, and Sweden got their fifth!

After blitzing the Italians either side of Half Time, Sweden would go on to control the rest of the game and see out the win. It was a shame for Italy, after starting so confidently, but Sweden showed their class and showed why they are one of the favourites for this year’s tournament. As soon as they got their first goal, the win looked guaranteed. Sweden’s set pieces were the killer for Italy, who couldn’t handle the dangerous crosses and the physicality in the air. 

Full Time in Wellington. Sweden 5-0 Italy