Sweden beat Australia 2-0 to win third place at the 2023 Women's World Cup

Defeating co-host Australia 2-0, the Swedish women's team won third place at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

MATCH PROGRESS

With home advantage, the Australian women's team had a successful 2023 Women's World Cup when they reached the semi-finals for the first time. However, against an opponent that was superior in every aspect from squad quality and class, the England women, the kangaroo girls had to accept a 1-3 defeat and went down to the third-place match.

On the other side of the field, the Swedish women's team also had a disappointing 90 minutes in the semi-finals when the world's third-ranked team lost 1-2 when facing Spain. Before that, the Nordic representative was one of the teams with impressive form when they were unbeaten in 5 matches played, even when facing the US or Japan - strong candidates for the championship.

Notable faces in the lineup of the two teams. Photo: FIFA

Statistics show that the Swedish women's team is unbeaten in three encounters with Australia in the Women's World Cup (W2 D1). Both teams have scored in these encounters.

Co-hosts Australia are having a successful Women's World Cup. Photo: TheMatildas

Sweden will play in the bronze medal match at the Women's World Cup for the fourth time, a tournament record. The Scandinavian team won the previous three (1991, 2011 and 2019).

Sweden also has the chance to set a new record. Photo: FridolinaRolfo

For their part, Australia are aiming for bronze to become the third Asian Football Confederation (AFC) team to win a medal at the Women's World Cup, after Japan (champions in 2011, runners-up in 2015) and China (runners-up in 1999). They could also become the second team to win a medal as hosts of the Women's World Cup, after the United States (champions in 1999 and third in 2003).

Starting lineup

Sweden: Musovic (Goalkeeper), Andersson, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Bjorn, Angeldal, Rubensson, Kaneryd, Asllani (Captain), Rolfo, Blackstenius.

Australia: Arnold (Goalkeeper), Carpenter, Hunt, Polkinghorne, Catley, Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Foord, Fowler, Kerr (Captain).

Google's algorithm predicts that Sweden's women's team has a 40% chance of winning this match, while Australia's women's team has a 33% chance. The odds of the two teams drawing after 90 minutes of regulation time are 27%.

Australian fans are ready to "burn themselves out" to cheer for their home team. Photo: TheMatildas

Players from both teams have arrived on the field. Photo: Reuters

Fans welcome players from both teams onto the field. Photo: FIFA

The Australian and Swedish teams held a flag-raising ceremony.

The third-place match of the 2023 Women's World Cup will take place at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The match will be refereed by Cheryl Foster.

THE MATCH BEGINS

The Australian team wears blue shirts and blue shorts. The Swedish team wears yellow shirts and blue shorts.

VERY DANGEROUS

Minute 1: Very early chance for Sweden. Goalkeeper Arnold (Australia) had to dive to block the opponent's striker's dangerous shot.

Minute 4:

The Swedish girls were dominating the game in the early minutes. They had better possession of the ball, forcing the home team Australia into a defensive position.

Minute 7:

Australia were awarded a free kick on the left wing after Swedish defender Bjorn handled the ball.

Sweden's Stina Blackstenius fires a shot towards the Australian goal. Photo: Getty Images

Minute 8:

Australia raised their squad, actively approaching high altitude to put pressure back on their opponents.

Minute 12:

Australia are needing fouls away from goal to stop Sweden from combining their play.

Kyra Cooney-Cross (No. 23) of Australia is confident in possession. Photo: Getty Images

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold dives to catch the ball after a cross from Sweden. Photo: Getty Images

Minute 15:

Sweden are dominating possession with 66%.

Minute 18:

Despite having less possession, Australia still had periods of sudden acceleration to pressure Sweden.

Minute 20:

Australia have had some exciting attacks. The attacks often go through captain Sam Kerr.

DANGER

Minute 23: Raso (Australia) had the ball in the penalty area before shooting from a tight angle, forcing goalkeeper Musovic to struggle to push the ball away for a corner kick.

Australia began to regain a more balanced game. Photo: Getty Images

BALL TOUCHES CROSSBAR

Minute 26: Kaneryd (Sweden) received the right cross from the right wing, unfortunately the ball hit the crossbar.

REFEREE REFERENCES VAR

Sweden had a chance to get a penalty.

PENALTY FOR SWEDEN

Minute 27: The referee points to the penalty spot. A chance for Sweden to take the lead.

GOALLLLLLLLLLL! SWEDEN TAKES A 1-0 LEAD!

Minute 30: Rolfo defeated goalkeeper Arnold on the penalty spot, putting Sweden ahead.

Minute 34:

Australia pressed forward after conceding the goal, but the home girls were still not accurate in their final passes.

Fridolina Rolfo converted the penalty to give Sweden the lead. Photo: Getty Images

Minute 39:

According to statistics, the time it takes Sweden to win the ball back after losing it is 10 seconds, while Australia takes 18 seconds. Clearly, Sweden puts better pressure.

Caitlin Foord (No. 9) and Nathalie Bjorn (No. 14) in a pursuit. Photo: Getty Images

Minute 42:

Rolfo (Sweden) had a chance to shoot in the penalty area but her shot with her weaker foot went wide.

VERY DANGEROUS

Minute 45: Defender Hunt (Australia) did not look when passing back to the goalkeeper. Blackstenius won the ball but unfortunately his clumsy handling caused the opportunity to pass. There are 5 minutes of injury time in the first half.

Goalkeeper Zecira Musovic successfully blocked a shot from Australia. Photo: Getty Images

GOALKEEPER ARNOLD SHINES AGAIN

Minute 45+2: Arnold (Australia) dived to block with his left hand the opponent's striker's shot in the penalty area after a corner kick.

Minute 45+4:

The match was exciting in the last minutes of the first half. There was just a tense collision between players from both sides.

Minute 45+8:

The extra time is over but the first half is not over yet as each team has 1 player lying on the field due to injury.

HALF END!

Sweden lead Australia 1-0 thanks to Rolfo's successful penalty kick.

Strikers Gorry (19) and Asllani (9) almost clashed after a fight for the ball. Photo: Getty Images

Statistics in the first half

Ball possession: Sweden 58%, Australia 42%

Number of passes: Sweden 247, Australia 174

Success rate: Sweden 78%, Australia 71%

Number of shots: Sweden 8, Australia 7

Fouls: Sweden 5, Australia 5

Offside: Sweden 0, Australia 1

Corner kicks: Sweden 0, Australia 3

Yellow cards: Sweden 0, Australia 1

Neither team has received a red card.

After the first half, Google's algorithm predicted that the Swedish women's team had a 72% chance of winning this match, while the Australian women's team had an 8% chance. The odds of the two teams drawing in 90 minutes of regulation time were 20%.

SECOND HALF BEGINS!

Australia had to push forward to find an equalizer.

Katrina Gorry (No. 19) of Australia holds the ball. Photo: Getty Images

Minute 48:

Australia pushed up the pitch, but Sweden took the initiative to close the gap and were not afraid to commit fouls right in the opponent's half.

Minute 52:

Sweden counter-attacked after winning the ball in midfield, but unfortunately captain Asllani's shot was blocked in the penalty area.

CLOUDY COORDINATION

Minute 58: Sweden was awarded a free kick on the right wing. Instead of a high cross, the yellow team coordinated with the ball, but it was a rather funny situation when the Swedish player passed the ball to the opponent's feet.

Fridolina Rolfö throws a pass through the Australian players. Photo: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA SUBSTITUTES TWO PLAYERS

Minute 60: Raso and Gorry leave the field, Vina and Egmond come on. The home team needs more fighting spirit from new faces.

GOAL! SWEDEN EXTEND THE GAP! 2-0 TO SWEDEN!

Minute 62: In a counter-attack, Asllani assisted a teammate before receiving the ball back just outside the penalty area. The Swedish captain's shot was so powerful that goalkeeper Arnold dived to the ground but could not block it. This was Sweden's 14th goal at this year's Women's World Cup.

SWEDEN ALSO CHANGED 2 PLAYERS

Minute 67: The Swedish attacking duo Blackstenius and the player who just scored Asllani were withdrawn, replaced by Hurtig and Blomqvist.

Captain Kosovare Asllani doubled Sweden's lead. Photo: Getty Images

TOO BAD TO MISS OUT

Minute 70: In a chaotic situation in front of the goal, center-back Polkinghorne (Australia) quickly took a shot but unfortunately the ball went right to goalkeeper Musovic.

Kosovare Asllani was taken off and replaced by Lina Hurtig. Photo: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA CONTINUES TO MAKE 2 SUBSTITUTIONS

Minute 74: Polkinghorne and Carpenter leave the field, replaced by Nevin and Chidiac.

Minute 78:

The home team's biggest star Sam Kerr returned to the field with a limp after receiving medical attention.

Goalkeeper Zecira Musovic is a solid stopper against Australia's attacks. Photo: Getty Images

Sam Kerr suffered a calf injury after a collision but returned to play. Photo: Getty Images

LATE EFFORTS

Minute 82: Having difficulty in small coordination, Australia found opportunities in high balls, but goalkeeper Musovic (Sweden) was still playing very solidly.