Sweden beats Australia at Women’s World Cup third-place match
It was a disappointing end for Matildas, who captivated the hosts in their first-ever semi-final.
BRISBANE, QLD — Sweden wins another bronze at the tournament Women’s World Cupwith Fridolina Rolfo and Kosovare Asllani scoring on Saturday in a 2-0 win over co-hosts Australia of the tournament.
The Swedes proved again that they were hard to beat after losing in the semi-finals, extending their perfect record of third place matches at the World Cup to four with victory in Brisbane.
It was a disappointing end for Matildas, who captivated the hosts in their first-ever semi-final.
The tournament, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, set records for attendance, featured fan zones and two Australian matches became the most watched program on commercial television in water for 20 years.
In the end, it ended with reverse losses against the 3rd and 4th placed teams in the world even as star striker Sam Kerr returned to the starting line-up.
Rolfo converted from the penalty spot with a low left-footed shot in the 30th minute after Australian defender Clare Hunt was penalized following a VAR review after tripping over Stina Blackstenius.
Asllani’s well-timed strike to end a long-range Swedish counterattack in the 62nd minute sealed the victory.
European champions England and Spain will meet in the final in Sydney on Sunday.
Sweden dominated for most of the match, playing tight and organized.
Goalkeeper Zecira Musovic kept another clean sheet, paring Kerr’s right-footed cross in first-half stoppage time and again stopping Clare Polkinghorne’s shot from just ahead in the 70th minute. .
Kerr missed the entire group stage after injuring his left calf before the tournament. She starts on Saturday in an unchanged Australian squad after Wednesday’s 3-1 semi-final loss to England.
Kerr injured his right leg in a challenge in the 75th minute and had to limp off the field for quick treatment but returned to continue playing.
2-1 defeat to Spain in Auckland bringing Sweden into familiar territory. The Swede, runner-up in 2003, beat Germany in 1991, France in 2011 and England four years ago in previous bronze medal matches.
