The Swedes will surely leave Oceania with regrets, but they will at least have a bronze medal in their luggage. Saturday August 19, the Blagults (Yellow and Blue) won 2-0 against Australia in the “little final” of the Women’s World Cup football, played in Brisbane. A success allowing them to climb for the fifth time in their history on the podium of the competition, after having already won third place in 1991, 2011 and 2019, and second in 2003.

Despite the smiles of his players at the final whistle, coach Peter Gerhardsson must have wondered how his team missed the boat this time. Third nation in the world rankings, Sweden had arrived in the southern hemisphere full of ambition and seemed to be on the way to the crown. Unlike many favorites, she had indeed avoided the trap of the group stage, before bringing down the suspense and the penalty shootout the double American title holders in the eighth.

The kind of success that we remember when we tell years later of the conquest of a world crown. The epilogue of the story will leave a bitter taste for the Scandinavians: the fault of the Spaniards, who fell for the Blagults in the semi-finals (2-1).

Sam Kerr tried a lot

Speaking of bitter-tasting fairy tales, Aussies have a lot to say. In front of an audience who fell in love with their team over the matches, the Matildas chained performances until reaching the last four of the World Cup for the first time in their history, eliminating Les Bleues in the quarters. Beaten by England in the semi-finals, they surrendered again in the “little final”. Voluntary and offensive, they did not resist their generally dominating opponents and logically victorious thanks to a penalty from Fridolina Rolfo (30th) and a goal from her captain Kosovare Asllani (62nd).

For its farewell to the competition, the local selection did not however deserve, like its captain and star Sam Kerr. Embarrassed at the ankle at the start of the tournament, the Chelsea striker (England) watched the first steps of her teammates in this World Cup from the stands, contenting herself with a few minutes of play in the round of 16 and in the semi-finals . Holder against Sweden, she weighed heavily on the opposing defense, but above all sent a shiver through the Brisbane Stadium when she collapsed to the ground in the 76th minute following a shock. After long seconds of holding her leg, she finally finished the match to cheers.

Australia fourth, Sweden third, all that remains is to know the order of the two teams at the top of the 2023 World Cup. Spain and England face each other this Sunday, at noon (time of Paris) in a final between two novice formations at this stage of the competition. Whatever happens, Stadium Australia in Sydney will experience the coronation of an unprecedented champion.