Sweden won their fourth Women’s World Cup bronze medal by beating Australia 2-0 in the third-place playoff match.The Swedish team, ranked third in the world, showcased their prowess on the field to secure their fourth Women’s World Cup bronze medal.
The turning point of the match came in the 28th minute when Sweden was awarded a penalty following VAR review. The review confirmed that Australia’s Clare Hunt had clipped the heels of Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius, leading to the penalty decision. Fridolina Rolfo confidently converted the resulting spot kick, putting Sweden ahead on the scoreboard.
As the game progressed, Sweden continued to display their tactical acumen. In the second half, Sweden’s captain Kosovare Asllani extended their lead just after the hour mark. She delivered a remarkable strike from the edge of the penalty area, leaving Australia’s goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold with no chance to save. This goal not only solidified Sweden’s advantage but also showcased their ability to capitalize on quick counterattacks.
Despite their efforts, Australia found it challenging to break through Sweden’s defense. The Australian team, which had previously reached the quarter-finals only once in 2015, had a historic journey to the semi-finals as hosts. This marked the first time since 2003 that a host nation had progressed to the semi-finals—previously achieved by the United States.
The Matilda’s had their chances to score, with Hayley Raso and Clare Polkinghorne being their best hopes. However, Sweden’s goalkeeper Zecira Musovic displayed exceptional skills to deny both players’ attempts, maintaining her team’s clean sheet.
