Fifa Women’s World Cup: unbeaten Sweden advance to round of 16 after 2-0 win, South Africa send Italy home
- Sweden to face US in round of 16 match after 2-0 triumph over Argentina
- South Africa fight ‘like warriors’ to win in 3-2 nailbiter, as Italians exit tournament
A much-changed Sweden side reached the Women’s World Cup last 16 with a perfect record after Rebecka Blomqvist’s second-half header and substitute Elin Rubensson’s 90th-minute penalty helped them beat Argentina 2-0 on Wednesday.
Blomqvist met Sofia Jakobsson’s cross with a fantastic header in the 66th minute to put the third-ranked Swedes firmly on course to advance as Group G winners, with Rubensson sealing the win with a superbly taken spot kick.
Argentina, who lost midfielder Florencia Bonsegundo to injury minutes before the break, needed a victory to stand any chance of going through but never really troubled the Swedish defence or goalkeeper Jennifer Falk.
They remain without a win in their four World Cup appearances and finished bottom of the group.
Sweden will next face holders United States in a blockbuster clash in Melbourne on Sunday - a rematch of the Olympic quarter-finals in 2021 when the Europeans won 3-0 en route to the final.
“The USA are a very strong team, very good at championships. They show that year after year,” said Blonqvist.
