Sweden 2-0 Australia: Player ratings as Matildas fall short in third-place play-off

Fridolina Rolfo and Kosovare Asllani were on the scoresheet for Sweden as they secured third place at the Women's World Cup by beating co-hosts Australia 2-0.

Rolfo's penalty in the first half broke the deadlock for Peter Gerhardsson's team, before Asllani's superb long-range effort arrowed past Mackenzie Arnold to put the game beyond the valiant Matildas.

Victory gives Sweden a third-place finish at the Women's World Cup for a record-extending fourth time, repeating their accomplishment at the 2019 edition.

Sweden were more aggressive from the first whistle, and their opportunity to take the lead came in the 30th minute when Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius was clumsily tripped by Clare Hunt inside the penalty area.

With a penalty not initially awarded, VAR intervened as the decision was reviewed and subsequently overturned, allowing Rolfo to stroke the ball into the corner past the despairing dive of Arnold.

Australia looked a little leggy and mentally fatigued as they tried to find a way back into the game, but slipped further behind when Asllani and Blackstenius combined brilliantly before the former's long-range drive arched into the corner of Arnold's goal.

Not even Sam Kerr, Australia's star turn, or a raucous atmosphere could deny Sweden, as they comfortably saw the game out to put behind them the disappointment of losing to Spain in the dying stages of their semi-final clash.

Sweden player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Zecira Musovic - 7/10 - Another impressive performance from Musovic, who must surely be making a case for more minutes at Chelsea.

RB: Nathalie Bjorn - 7/10 - Made five clearances and four tackles to keep the Matildas at bay.

CB: Amanda Ilestedt - 7/10 - Another solid defensive performance in the heart of Sweden's backline.

CB: Magdalena Eriksson - 6/10 - A bit shaky at times, uncharacteristically, but Australia never got the better of her.

LB: Jonna Andersson - 7/10 - Found a lot of joy on the flanks, advancing forward into dangerous areas.

CM: Filippa Angeldahl - 8/10 - A really polished performance in the heart of midfield, making runs from deep and making space for others to drive into.

CM: Elin Rubensson - 8/10 - Similarly impressive in central areas, Rubensson showed her liking for progressing the ball forward and did well.

AM: Kosovare Asllani (c) - 8/10 - Scored a fantastic goal to put the game beyond Australia - one that could cap off her World Cup career.

RW: Johanna Rytting - 6/10 - A quiet came after having an overall strong tournament.

LW: Fridolina Rolfo - 7/10 - Showed nerves of steal from the penalty spot to put Sweden ahead on the half-hour.

CF: Stina Blackstenius - 7/10 - Won the penalty and worked hard to test Australia's keeper despite not seeing much of the ball.

Substitutes

SUB: Lina Hurtig (67' for Asllani) - 6/10

SUB: Rebecka Blomqvist (67' for Blackstenius) - 6/10

SUB: Linda Sembrant (89' for Rytting) - 6/10

Australia player ratings (4-4-2)

GK: Mackenzie Arnold - 7/10 - West Ham's goalkeeper couldn't do much for either goal, but did make three saves.

RB: Ellie Carpenter - 6/10 - Caught out of position at times by Sweden's swift counter attacking.

CB: Clare Hunt - 6/10 - May count herself a little unlucky for the penalty award, though Hunt did give the officials a decision to make.

CB: Clare Polkinghorne - 6/10 - Not the greatest outing for Polkinghorne, who was pulled over the place by Sweden's clever runs.

LB: Stephanie Catley - 7/10 - The best out of the Matildas' defenders.

RM: Hayley Raso - 6/10 - Only 26 touches in the 60 minutes she played. Struggled to impose herself on the match.

CM: Katrina Gorry - 6/10 - Dragged back to cover too often for Australia's liking, negating her ability to affect proceedings up the field.

CM: Kyra Cooney-Cross - 6/10 - Struggled to breach Sweden's well coordinated and frequent press.

LW: Caitlin Foord - 6/10 - Not able to get into the match and took a nasty bang to the head for her troubles.

CF: Mary Fowler - 6/10 - Australia's inability to feed Fowler the ball saw her on the fringes of the game throughout.

CF: Sam Kerr (c) - 7/10 - Didn't look to be fully fit and wasn't helped by a barrage of fouls from Sweden. Still, Australia's biggest threat by a mile.

Substitutes

SUB: Emily van Egmond (60' for Gorry) - 6/10

SUB: Cortnee Vine (60' for Raso) - 6/10

SUB: Courtney Nevin (74' for Carpenter) - 6/10

SUB: Alexandra Chidiac (74' for Polkinghorne) - 6/10

Player of the Match: Kosovare Asllani (Sweden)

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