Group G came to a close at the Women’s World Cup. With Sweden already qualified, Peter Gerhardsson heavily rotated his team for their final group match against Argentina, Stina Blackstenius and Lina Hurtig started on the bench, with Hurtig coming on for the final 15 minutes, while Blackstenius came on in the 93rd minute of Sweden’s 2-0 victory.
Ilestedt did start, presumably to keep her Golden Boot quest on track but the defender wasn’t on the score sheet on this occasion. The result completes a perfect group stage for the Swedes who will play the US in the round of 16. It is the sixth consecutive World Cup meeting between the two sides, who have also met in the last two Olympic Games.
62' Gerhardsson med ett dubbelbyte…
Linda Sembrant och Lina Hurtig kommer in istället för Amanda Ilestedt och Olivia Schough.#ARG 0-0 #SWE | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/SaWxT4Zd8E
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) August 2, 2023
South Africa beat Italy to qualify for the round of 16 and they will play Victoria Pelova’s Netherlands in the round of 16. Group F also finished today with France confirming themselves top of the group with a 5-3 victory over Panama. Former Gunner Rafaelle and Brazil made a shock exit at the group stage after being held to a 0-0 draw by Jamaica.
Although there are no Asenal players in the Jamaican squad, I was rooting for them against Brasil.
CONCACAF Thunder(tm)!
After all their struggles just to get to the WWC, so was I. So sad for Brazil and Marta but all things come to an end.
The Netherlands Vs South Africa. Sweden Vs USA. Australia Vs Denmark… There are some intriguing matchups and potential shock exits coming up!
Already shocked! Germany are on the plane home!
Hopefully USA will follow them. A shadow of their former selves!