Australia is set to face co-hosts in an upcoming match in Brisbane. The game proved to be intense as Fridolina Rolfo netted a penalty goal in the 30th minute.
Adding to the score, captain Kosovare Asllani fired a remarkable second goal at the 62nd minute.
Despite a crowd of 50,000, the Scandinavians demonstrated their dominance and emerged as the stronger team throughout the match.
This tournament saw Sweden, previous runners-up in 2003, secure the third-place position, reminiscent of their achievements in 1991, 2011, and 2019.
Notably, Australia achieved their best-ever World Cup result by securing fourth place, mirroring their performance in the 2021 Olympics.
Anticipation is building for the final scheduled on Sunday in Sydney, which will feature a match between European champions England and Spain.
England managed to secure a spot in the finals by defeating Australia 3-1 in the semi-finals, while Spain secured their place by narrowly beating Sweden 2-1.
Sharing her feelings, Asllani expressed, “I am proud of the team and the effort… We have had a fantastic tournament. Football is about details and that’s what keeps us from playing in the finals.”
Australia’s Swedish coach, Gustavsson, commented on the team’s performance, saying, “Finding the right words in this moment is difficult.
We’re hurt; we wanted to secure a medal for this team, these fans, and our nation. This marks the second tournament in which we played for a medal and missed out…
Perhaps we have won something more significant than a medal. It’s tough now, but with some distance, I believe we have achieved something greater than a medal.” This sentiment referred to the fervor created by the Matildas within the nation.
During the match, Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius missed an early chance, saved by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. Rolfo’s header then struck the crossbar. A subsequent video review revealed a foul by Clare Hunt on Stina Blackstenius, leading to the penalty that Rolfo confidently converted.
Asllani and Filippa Angeldahl came close to securing a second goal for Sweden. Meanwhile, Australia’s Kyra Cooney-Cross attempted a far-post shot after a corner kick, which was saved by Zecira Musovic.
In the 62nd minute, Sweden sealed their victory as Asllani initiated a break from her own half, receiving the ball back from Blackstenius and skillfully firing into the right corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Despite Blackstenius’s near miss at a third goal and Australia’s efforts to stage a comeback, Clare Polkinghorne’s shot from a promising position was aimed straight at Musovic, resulting in a missed opportunity.