After a VAR assessment revealed that Australia’s Clare Hunt pinched Stina Blackstenius’ heels, the Swedes have been granted a penalty within the 28th minute, and Fridolina Rolfo stroked house the resultant spot kick.
Following one other fast counter-attack, Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani rifled a stunning drive from the sting of the penalty space previous goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to increase their benefit shortly after the hour mark.
Whereas the Matildas have been sad to complete the World Cup with one other defeat, they nonetheless earned their best consequence on the competitors, having by no means earlier than superior previous the quarter-final stage.
Each groups have been unchanged from the semi-finals, by which Australia was defeated 3-1 by England and Sweden was defeated 2-1 by Spain. On Sunday, England will face Spain within the ultimate.
Sweden began strongly and will have had a dream begin when Blackstenius blasted a low drive throughout objective within the first minute, however Arnold palmed it away and defender Ellie Carpenter cleared.
The Matildas shortly settled into their passing rhythm, bursting ahead on the counter via Hayley Raso, however her effort was stopped. Raso was denied once more halfway via the half by keeper Zecira Musovic of Sweden.
Rolfo headed in opposition to the crossbar from Asllani’s very good cross simply earlier than Sweden was awarded a penalty, which the capability crowd of 49,461 booed.
With the sport rising up tempo, Arnold made a spectacular low save to maintain Rolfo’s free kick out within the final minutes of the half.
The Matildas fell additional behind as Australia coach Tony Gustavsson made his first substitutes, with Asllani finishing off an incisive break earlier than being swarmed by her jubilant teammates.
Australia superior numerically however ran out of power and concepts. Their efforts to struggle their means again into the sport have been hampered when star scorer Sam Kerr was injured late within the sport, and Sweden simply gained.
(With inputs from Reuters)
