2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: Sweden Defeat Australia To Claim Third Place

Written by Albert Echatah

Sweden won the third-place play-off against Australia 2-0 at Suncorp Stadium to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup (FWWC) bronze medal for a record fourth time.

Although England crushed the Matildas’ hopes of winning the First Women’s World Cup in the semi-finals on Wednesday, this match offered a chance to cap off a historic tournament for the team both on and off the field.

However, although they subdued the supportive home crowd, it was their opponents who had the best of the opening frame. They tested Mackenzie Arnold between the Australian goal posts in less than 60 seconds, with the shot-stopper getting down well to deny the active Stina Blackstenius.

The pivotal moment of the first 45 minutes occurred shortly after Hayley Raso forced a save from Zeira Mušović at her near post. Fridolina Rolfö’s deft flicked header appeared to have given Sweden the lead, but after a VAR intervention, a penalty was given because Blackstenius had been brought down by Clare Hunt in the area.

Rolfö made no errors from the spot to give her side the edge. Sam Kerr worked Mušović with a furious drive, but Australia would have had an even harder mountain climb if not for Arnold, who did wonderfully to stop Filippa Angeldal down to her left.

Australia, meanwhile, never really took off. Even after the break, there was little to no goal threat, with Blgult looking far more threatening as they attempted to strike on the counterattack.

It was from this circumstance that they increased their lead. Kosovare Asllani scored from right inside the box after Blackstenius, who was once again prominently engaged, squared the ball to him and held it up superbly.

Apart from Clare Polkinghorne’s close-range shot, which Mušović was able to stop as has frequently happened during this competition, Asllani’s strike ended up being the only significant action in the game.

Sweden’s placement on the bottom step of the podium was a well-deserved consolation, and having coming in at that spot in 1991, 2011, and 2019, they will be aiming to move up in 2020. While Australia will be devastated to come to such a disappointing conclusion to their journey, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future, especially after having inspired an entire country.

Meanwhile…

Despite persistent rumors that the multiple champion would be persuaded to take over as manager of the recently vacant United States, Sarina Wiegman plans to remain in her position as England’s head coach.

Following a disastrous World Cup campaign in which the double-defending champions were eliminated by Sweden for their worst-ever last-16 finish, US Soccer announced on Thursday that Vlatko Andonovski would resign by mutual consent.

Two nights before leading the Lionesses into their first-ever World Cup final, the 53-year-old offered a comforting update. Wiegman and Chelsea manager Emma Hayes were already among the options widely mentioned to take the position.

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