Resilient Sweden wins bronze after defeating Australia 2-1.

Sweden won third at the 2023 Women’s World Cup after beating co-hosts Australia 2-0 at the Suncorp Stadium. Sweden who lost the semi finals encounter against Spain 2-1 came into this game with a motive to make amends for their defeat in the semi finals. Australia also had their own amends to make for their inability to play in the finals in front of their home crowd at Sydney after losing to England 3-1.

It was a penalty kick in the 30 minutes which was well converted by Fridolina Rolfo

which saw Sweden taking the lead after a  VAR review showed Australia defender Clare Hunt clipped Stina Blackstenius’ heels.

Australia tried everything but failed to find answers to their problems and eventually succumbed to the thrill of the Swede players after the second goal came in the 60 minutes through Kosovare Asllani following a quick counter attack. She made no mistake with her stunning strike at the edge of the penalty area beyond goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

This is Sweden’s fourth bronze medal at the Women’s World Cup and it’s an impressive record by the third ranked team in the world.

Even though the Matildas were looking at lifting the trophy in front of their home crowd, making it past the quarterfinals was a huge feat since prior to this World Cup, Australia has never made it past the quarterfinals and that it something they can take solace in.

We wanted to bring home a medal for this team, for the fans, for family and friends, for this country,” Australia coach Tony Gustavsson stated. “We’re hurt … I’m so sorry we couldn’t give everyone this bronze medal.

“I’m too emotional now to reflect on the whole journey … But when we distance ourselves from this game and look at the whole tournament, I think maybe we won something bigger than a medal, considering how the nation has supported us.”

Australian forward who plays as a forward for Chelsea expressed her displeasure and disappointment and went ahead to thank the entire nation for their support.

“It’s disappointing, we wanted to win, we wanted some hardware to take home but it wasn’t to be.

“It’s been a dream come true, the way the fans have got behind us, the way the girls have carried themselves.

“We have proven to the world and also Australia that we are a football nation”.

She went ahead to express her thoughts on the end of a global festival:

“It’s sad that its come to an end, this has been the best four weeks of our careers. We have to reflect and think of how amazing this is.

“We will think back to this in a couple of weeks and think of how proud we are.”

Spain plays England in the finals of the Australia/ New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup in Sydney today.