Only one game contained any Arsenal players on day nine of the Women’s World Cup but Sweden v Italy did not disappoint. The Swedes were 5-0 winners and guaranteed their place in the round of 16 with new Gunners defender Amanda Ilestedt scored two goals, both headers from Jonna Andersson corners.
The Queen of Corners = @amandailestedt #FIFAWWC #BeyondGreatness
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 29, 2023
That makes Ilestedt the joint top scorer at the tournament and the centre-half was voted Player of the Match for the second time in the tournament too. Ilestedt told STV after the game, “It feels completely unreal, absolutely crazy. It’s fantastic to be able to help the team. Jonna [Andersson] & Kosse [Asllani] delivered fantastic corners and every ball went exactly where it should, making it very easy for us inside the box.”
Stina Blackstenius also opened her account for the tournament by notching Sweden’s third goal. Blackstenius also waxed lyrical about her new clubmate and her ability from setpieces, “We already knew what she was capable of, and she had scored this type of goal many times before. Almost all of the corners we got were in the area we wanted. Then Amanda was there and executed in the best possible way.”
Later in the day, France were 2-1 winners over Brazil, captained by former Gunner Rafaelle. While Jamaica beat Panama 1-0 to put Panama out of the tournament.
Tomorrow sees the conclusion of Group A with Lia Walti and Noelle Maritz’s Switzerland playing joint hosts New Zealand, while Frida Maanum’s Norway play Philippines. Both those games kick off at 8am UK. Korea v Morocco and Germany v Colombia are the other games.
“Just stick it on my head, my daughter! … Well in!”
As she almost certainly did not say in any language.
Arsenal’s Swedish Wendie Renard.
…just not as tall 😂
A manda, you scored and you stopped me from shakin’
Exciting for the season
Ilestedt seems to be quite the signing. Hopefully Arsenal win plenty of corners next season.