Fifa Women’s World Cup: Sweden beat Australia 2-0 to secure bronze medal
- Fridolina Rolfo slots home from the penalty spot in first half before captain Kosovare Asllani doubles Sweden’s lead just after hour mark
- Victory brings Sweden their fourth World Cup bronze medal, as Matildas still achieve their best result at the tournament
Sweden picked up their fourth Women’s World Cup bronze medal on Saturday after beating co-hosts Australia 2-0 in the third-place playoff match 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 Australia’s Clare Hunt clipped Stina Blackstenius’ heels, and Fridolina Rolfo slotted home the resulting spot kick.
Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani doubled their lead just after the hour mark, rifling a sweet strike from the edge of the penalty area beyond goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold following another quick counter-attack.
“It feels amazing. We showed from minute one, we were the better team,” Rolfo said. “We deserve this medal.”
While disappointed to sign off at the World Cup with another defeat, the Matildas still achieved their best result at the tournament having never previously gone beyond the quarter-final stage.
“We wanted to win, we wanted to have some hardware to take home. Wasn’t to be,” star striker Sam Kerr said. “But the way the fans have got behind us, the way girls have carried themselves, I think we’ve proven to the world we are a footballing nation.