Sweden claimed their fourth bronze medal at the Women’s World Cup on Saturday, beating Australia 2-0 in the match for third place at Lang Park in Brisbane.
The Swedes, ranked third in the world, were awarded a penalty in the 28th minute after a VAR review showed Australian Claire Hunt clipped Stina Plakstenius’ heel, and Fridolina Rulfo scored the resulting penalty.
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Sweden captain Kosovare Aslani doubled their lead just after the hour mark, whipping a fine shot from the edge of the box past goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold after another quick counter-attack.
While disappointed to sign off another World Cup defeat, Matilda still achieved their best result in the tournament having never before gone beyond the quarter-final stage.
The two teams that started the semi-finals were unchanged, with Australia losing 3-1 at the hands of England and Sweden losing 2-1 to Spain. England will play Spain in the final on Sunday.
Sweden started brightly and could have made a dream start when Plaxtenius fired a low shot across goal in the first minute, but the effort was saved by Arnold and cleared by defender Eli Carpenter.
The Matildas quickly found their passing rhythm, ripping forward on the counter through Hayley Raso but the winger’s effort was stymied. Raso made another save midway through the first half as Sweden goalkeeper Zisera Mosović made a good save.
Rulfo headed in the crossbar from Aslani’s fine cross shortly before a penalty was awarded to Sweden, the decision being loudly jeered by the crowd of 49,461.
As the game picked up the pace, Arnold produced a superb low save to deflect a Rulfo free-kick in the closing minutes of the first half.
Moments after Australia coach Tony Gustafsson made his first substitutions, Matildas fell further behind, with Aslani finishing a crucial break before being attacked by jubilant teammates.
Australia advanced in numbers but fell behind in energy and ideas. Their efforts to get back into the game were faltered when star striker Sam Kerr was hit late on, and Sweden wrapped up the match comfortably.
