The Sweden women have defeated Australia, the co-hosts of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, to win the third-place match of the tournament earlier today, August 19.
Sweden qualified for the knockout stage as Group G table toppers after recording resounding victories against South Africa, Italy, and Argentina.
They knocked out the United States in the round of 16 via penalties and went on to beat Japan 2-1 in the quarter-finals stage of the competition.
Unfortunately for them, they met their Waterloo in the semi-finals against the spirited Spain women’s national team, who defeated them 2-1 on August 15.
The defeat halted their dream of winning the 2023 Women’s World Cup and left them with the hope of going home with the bronze medal.
Hence, they had to face the co-hosts of the tournament, Australia, who suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the group stage and got knocked out of the tournament thanks to 1-3 defeat at the hands of England in the semi-finals stage on August 16.
In the third-place match earlier today, Sweden got the match opener courtesy of a spot-kick from Fridolina Rolfö in the 30th minute.
In the 27th minute of the encounter, the VAR urged the match referee to use the pitchside monitor after it was detected that Clare Polkinghorne kicked the back of Stina Blackstenius’ foot in the penalty box. After the review, the referee pointed to the spot and Rolfö made no mistake with her kick.
In the 62nd minute, Kosovare Asllani sealed the victory for Sweden as Australia ended up finishing fourth at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 20, Spain and England will play the final of the tournament at the Stadium Australia.
