Apologies this one is a little late but I had the small matter of a flight to LA and given that I am now operating in a very different timezone, for the next few days these updates might not be quite as punctual as they were!
In the early kickoff, Stina Blackstenius and summer signing Amanda Ilestedt started for Sweden against South Africa with Lina Hurtig on the bench.
South Africa took a shock second half lead before Sweden equalised through an own goal. Lina Hurtig was a late substitute but it was Amada Ilestedt who was the heroine for the Swedes, heading home the winner from Kosovare Asllani’s 89th minute corner.
Last-minute magic!
Amanda Ilestedt steps into the #SpotlightOfTheDay for her last-gasp winning goal for @svenskfotboll against South Africa 🇸🇪
Unlucky #13? Not today. pic.twitter.com/Isejucx9mS
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 23, 2023
Victoria Pelova then played the full match for Netherlands as they eked out a 1-0 win over Portugal later on. The next four games had no Arsenal players however, as France were held to a 0-0 draw by Jamaica, Brazil, captained by Rafaelle, beat Panama 4-0, Germany hit Morocco for six and Italy defeated Argentina 1-0.
Tuesday, however, sees Lia Walti and Noelle Maritz’s Switzerland meet Frida Maanum’s Norway in a crunch game in Group A and that kicks off at 9am UK time.
COYGG
Absolutely brilliant title for the article!
Swedish – check
Name starts with ‘a man’ – check
4 more syllables after that – check
How long have you been waiting to write this one Tim? 🙂
Thanks for these summaries, Tim.
Poor Stina worked her socks off as usual but got no service. Ilestedt was third time lucky – good goal. If not for the Arsenal connection with Sweden I would have wanted the score to remain a draw, because SA deserved something.
I had another look at Tatiana Pinto for Portugal and I have to say I am still not seeing her as an Arsenal midfielder. But what do I know?
Watching the Dutch lionesses was like taking a trip down memory lane… Just Sari van Veenendal missing!
And Viv, obviously. (Sob)
I’ve just watched Norway v Sweden. Noëlle played at CB and turned in a very decent performance – a player who never lets you down.
So many strings to her bow!
The first Swedish goal wasn’t actually an own goal. It bounced of Rolfö. It was lucky nevertheless.