Sweden beats Australia for bronze medal at Women's World Cup

BRISBANE, Australia -- Sweden kept a perfect record in their third-place battles at the Women's World Cup as they won their fourth bronze medal and their second in a row at the 2023 edition by sinking co-hosts Australia 2-0 here on Saturday.

Sweden lost to Spain 2-1 in the semifinals, while Australia fell to England 3-1, but had already recorded their best finish in the tournament as they had never gone further than the quarterfinals before.

During their three meetings in the Women's World Cup, Sweden won 3-1 twice in the group stage in 1999 and in the quarterfinals in 2011, with their latest encounter ended with a 1-1 draw in the 2015 group stage.

Both sides fielded up the same starting lineups that had played in the semifinals, and Sweden managed their first attempt on target just seconds into the game when Stina Blackstenius forced a one-handed save out of Mackenzie Arnold.

The home side tested Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, as Hayley Raso's angled drive from the near post was punched away.

Fridolina Rolfo saw her twisting header denied by the woodwork, but the European side was then given a penalty after the referee checked VAR for Clare Hunt's foul on Stina Blackstenius in the build-up. Rolfo put Sweden in front by sending the spot-kick into the corner.

Sweden had the chance to double the lead, but Arnold got down well to parry Filippa Angeldal's strike away on the stroke of the half-time.

The away side extended their lead in the 62nd minute through a textbook counter-attack as Kosovare Asllani charged forward and spread the play down the left for Blackstenius, who pulled back for the captain to finish with a first-time strike.

The Matildas had a huge chance in the 70th minute to halve the deficit, but Clare Polkinghorne's attempt from a close range was too straight to surprise Musovic.

In a desperate bid for a miracle, Australia tossed caution to the wind in the final stages, but failed to complete a decent attack.

The final of 2023 Women's World Cup between Spain and England will be staged at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Sunday.