Sweden Wins Group G At 2023 Women’s World Cup To Advance To Showdown With The US

NEW ZEALAND’S HAMILTON — Rebecka Blomqvist’s second-half goal boosted Sweden to a 2-0 win against Argentina on Wednesday, advancing the Blagult to a Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match against the United States.

Argentina was knocked out of the competition.

For much of the game, neither side looked likely to score until Blomqvist broke the deadlock with a headed goal in the 66th minute to help the blue and yellow win Group G 3-0.

Sweden, who rested nine starters in the first half, sometimes threatened. Sweden could not take early control of the game due to disorganized play and fouls.

Argentina failed to produce a serious chance in open play and suffered a setback when veteran Florencia Bonsegundo was stretchered off in tears after a late tackle by Blomqvist in the 41st minute.

Gabriela Chavez committed a foul late in the game while defending a corner kick. Sweden’s triumph was sealed when Elin Rubensson converted a penalty kick in stoppage time.

Caroline Seeger, Sweden’s captain, made her 20th Women’s World Cup appearance on Wednesday, matching Hedvig Lindahl’s tournament record.

Caroline Seeger, Sweden’s captain, made her 20th Women’s World Cup appearance on Wednesday, matching Hedvig Lindahl’s tournament record.

Over 17,900 people filled Waikato Stadium, which has a capacity of only 18,009. Argentina supporters sang and chanted for 90 minutes plus stoppage time on a cool night in Hamilton.

For more than an hour, Argentina’s defense was on full display, but Blomqvist was able to push the blue and yellow over the line.

Sofia Jakobsson expertly picked out Blomqvist’s head on a cross from just outside the 18-yard box for the game-winning goal.

The encounter between the two-time defending World Cup champions, the United States, and third-ranked Sweden will be their seventh meeting, tying the record for the most-played contest in Women’s World Cup history.

Argentina has been eliminated from the Women’s World Cup.

Argentina’s run ended in the group stage, as it had done in its previous three outings, in 2019, 2007, and 2003. La Albiceleste has yet to win a competition.

“We’re proud of the players; they gave it everything.” We can sleep soundly. We’re naturally depressed; it’s football. But our heads are up, and we’ll keep going,” Argentina coach German Portanova said of the loss and his team’s tournament performance.

“We were patient today.” We believed that, of course, we wanted to score goals and create opportunities. “I think we also felt that the opportunities would come, and that when they did, we had to be ready and not frustrated,” Blomqvist said.

Sweden will fly to Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday, to face the United States.

Argentina has been eliminated from the Women’s World Cup.

SOURCE – (AP)