Sweden breeze past Argentina to top Group G, set up clash with USA

Updated 02/08/2023 at 12:01 GMT

The Reggae Girlz secured their spot in the last 16 after a stalemate draw saw them knock out Brazil. The Copa America champions exit at the group stage for the first time since 1995. Sweden cemented their spot as Group G winners after a win against Argentina, who needed a victory to at least have a chance of progressing into the knockouts. Sweden will now face the USA in the last 16.

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Jamaica secured their spot in the round of 16 with a 0-0 draw knocking out Copa America winners, Brazil.

It will be the first time the Canarinhas wont play in the knockout rounds since the 1995 World Cup.

Brazil needed the three points to advance, while Jamaica only needed a draw as France, the group leaders, securing top spot with a 6-3 victory over Panama.

Jamaica were happy to play it safe and defend deep, with Cheyna Matthews picking up a yellow in the 30th minute for time wasting. Rebecca Spencer pulled off eight saves to keep a clean sheet.

The Reggae Girlz also offered little threat going forward. Star striker and captain Bunny Shaw registered her team’s only two shots, both off target. In comparison, Brazil had 15 shots, six on target.

Jamaica will play the winners of Group F in the round of 16, which will be one of Colombia, Germany, or Morocco.

Earlier in the day, Rebecka Blomqvist scored and won a penalty in Sweden’s 2-0 victory against Argentina to confirm their position as Group G winners at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Sweden had already secured qualification after a 2-1 win against South Africa and a statement 5-0 victory against Italy. Indeed, they would have only dropped down to second in the group had there been a 10-goal swing.

Peter Gerhardsson opted to make several changes to his side, with only two players that beat Italy remaining in the starting line-up: Amanda Ilestedt and Magdalena Eriksson.

The opening goal came in the 66th minute from Blomqvist, who was rewarded a start after her late goal against the Italians. Sofia Jakobsson’s cross in-swinging found the Wolfsburg forward, whose bullet header flew straight past Argentina goalkeeper Vanina Correa.

Blomqvist was then brought down in the box right before the end of normal time by Gabriela Chavez, and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Elin Rubensson’s penalty into the roof of the net in the 90th minute wrapped up Sweden’s victory.

Despite needing a win to have a chance of progressing, Argentina were not able to trouble Sweden’s defence or second-choice keeper Jennifer Falk, mustering only one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.

Rebecka Blomqvist of Sweden celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s first goal during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between Argentina and Sweden at Waikato Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Hamilton.

Image credit: Getty Images

Sweden will now face defending champions, the United States. Consequently, the two sides are set to face each other for an impressive sixth consecutive time at the Women’s World Cup, marking their seventh encounter in total. This feat stands as an unparalleled record in the tournament’s history, matching the seven occasions where Brazil faced Sweden, Argentina played against Germany, and Germany went up against Yugoslavia/Serbia in the men’s World Cup.

Their most recent competitive encounter was during the opening match at the Tokyo Olympics where Sweden ended the USA’s 44-game unbeaten streak with a 3-0 win.

Sweden are also the last team to defeat the USWNT in a 90-minute game at the World Cup, having done so at the 2011 tournament, emerging victorious with a 2-1 win. The result saw the Americans finish second in their group and was the only instance in which they failed to secure the top spot in the first round before this year.

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