Sweden Defeats Argentina 2-0 to Dominate Group F: Blomqvist and Rubensson Shine
Sweden secures a spot in the Women's World Cup last 16 with a flawless record after defeating Argentina 2-0 Rebecka Blomqvist's header and Elin Rubensson's penalty seal the victory for Sweden
Sweden, with significant changes to their lineup, advanced to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with an impeccable record. They secured a 2-0 victory over Argentina, thanks to Rebecka Blomqvist's impressive header in the 66th minute from a cross by Sofia Jakobsson. Subsequently, substitute Elin Rubensson sealed the win with a brilliantly taken penalty kick in the 90th minute.
Argentina, who lost midfielder Florencia Bonsegundo due to injury just before halftime, required a win to have any hope of advancing, but they failed to pose any significant threat to the Swedish defense or goalkeeper Jennifer Falk. As a result, they ended their fourth World Cup campaign winless and finished at the bottom of their group.
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Elin Rubensson scored a late goal for Sweden during the game. Next, they will face the United States, the current holders, in an anticipated showdown in Melbourne on Sunday. This match serves as a rematch of the Olympic quarter-finals in 2021, where the Europeans emerged victorious with a 3-0 win en route to the final.
Having already secured qualification after emerging victorious in their initial two matches, Sweden simply required a single point to clinch the top spot in the group. In order to achieve this, coach Peter Gerhardsson opted to make nine alterations to the team that had emphatically defeated Italy 5-0.
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Argentina have exited at the group stage for a second successive World Cup
Only Amanda Ilestedt and Magdalena Eriksson, defenders for Sweden, kept their positions in the starting lineup. However, Sweden did not perform at their best, as they struggled to create scoring opportunities in the first half. Their only shot on target came from Olivia Schough's weak free-kick.
After over an hour of play, Filippa Blomqvist finally scored the breakthrough goal. In the closing minutes, Blomqvist was fouled by Gabriela Chavez inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick. Caroline Rubensson stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, placing the ball into the top of the net.
What's next?
In Melbourne on Sunday August 6 at 10am, Group G winners Sweden will go head to head with the USA, the World Cup holders, in the last 16.What is the schedule?
From August 5 to August 8, the round of 16 will take place after the two-week group stage, which concludes on August 3. During this stage, the group winners and runners-up will progress.The quarter-finals are set to take place on August 11 and 12 in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney. Following that, the first semi-final will be held in Auckland on August 15, while the second semi-final will take place on August 16 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney. The final match will be held at the same venue on August 20.
A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.
