World No.3 Sweden defeated host Australia to clinch third place in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Playing at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the Swedes registered a clinical 2-0 win to end another consistent World Cup campaign. With this victory, the Blågult recorded their second consecutive third-place finish at World Cup tournaments.
Whereas for Australia, the Matildas concluded a historic World Cup campaign marred with injuries to star striker Sam Kerr, who also dealt with some hard blows in this fixture. With the fourth-place finish, Australia put forth the team's best finish World Cup in history.
The match started off with both teams failing to capitalise on key chances. But around the 30-minute mark, Sweden received a penalty after Clare Polkinghorne brought down Stina Blackstenius with a scrappy tackle. Fridolina Rolfö comfortably slotted in the spot kick to give the Blågult a 1-0 lead.
With Australia failing to find a leveller in the first half, Sweden sealed off the fixture after Kosovare Asllani scored her first goal of the tournament in the 62nd minute from a Stina Blackstenius assist. Despite the Matildas, going all out on the attacking front they couldn't find the back of the net and lost the match 2-0.
