Sweden took third place in the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory over co-hosts Australia on Saturday in Brisbane. The Swedes, victorious thanks to Fridolina Rolfö (penalty, 30th) and Kosovare Asllani (62nd), finish third in a World Cup for the fourth time after 1991, 2011, 2019.
Fridolina Rolfö (30th on penalty) and captain Kosovare Asllani (62nd) confirmed the domination of the Swedes. This ultimate success heals the disappointment of the semi-final lost against Spain (2-1), a novice team at this level against which Sweden had never lost. Until this hitch, Amanda Ilestedt’s teammates had eliminated the last two teams crowned world champions, the United States in the round of 16 (0-0 after, 5-4 on pens), and Japan in the next round (2- 1).
Despite the loss, this is the best ranking for Australia at a World Cup. The Matildas were aiming for the title at home, but they lost to stronger in the semi-finals, reigning European champions England (3-1). The popular enthusiasm, illustrated by national television audience records, brought the 10th nation in the world to the last four of a World Cup for the first time, in eight participations.
Both Australia and Sweden started the game with the same starting XI that started in the semi-finals. The match swung to the Swedes after a penalty signaled by the video assistant referee (VAR) for a foul by Clare Hunt on Stina Blackstenius.
Rolfö did not tremble against goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, heroine of the penalty shootout against France in the quarterfinals (0-0 after, 7-6 on pens). Captain Asllani widened the gap after returning from the locker room. The AC Milan player, who passed through Paris SG, had already scored in the 2019 small final, against England (2-1). The English face Spain on Sunday, in a final between two selections never titled in the competition.
