CO-HOSTS Australia have failed to win a medal at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing the third-place match 2-0 to Sweden today in Brisbane.
Sweden struck once in each half to claim their second consecutive Women’s World Cup bronze and their third in the last four editions.
Kosovare Asllani’s stunning second-half strike sealed victory for Sweden as she powered home a shot from the edge of the box in the 62nd minute.
The goal added to Fridolina Rolfo’s 30th minute penalty as Sweden repeated their bronze feat of four years ago in France.
Despite the defeat, the run to the semi-finals represents Australia’s best-ever World Cup finish and the almost 50,000 crowd at the Brisbane Stadium cheered the Matildas until the end.
Rolfo’s penalty gave Sweden the lead after a video assistant referee (VAR) review confirmed that Claire Hunt had fouled Stina Blackstenius in the box after 26 minutes.
And just after the hour mark, Blackstenius assisted Asllani, who struck a fine shot to double their lead.
Sweden’s best outing in the Women’s World Cup was in 2003 when they reached the final in the United States of America and lost to Germany.
They won bronze in the inaugural edition in China in 1991, in Germany in 2011 and the last two editions in 2019 and now.
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