Australia vs Sweden: Sam Kerr's Maltidas end FIFAWWC with nothing after painful loss

Sweden vs Australia. (Photo Credit: FIFAWWC/X)

Australia vs Sweden: Sam Kerr's Maltidas end FIFAWWC with nothing after painful loss

Izuchukwu Akawor 15:49 - 19.08.2023

Europe will make a clean sweep of the ninth FIFAWWC after Sweden swept aside co-hosts Australia in the third-place match.

European giants Sweden have made the bronze medal theirs at the FIFAWWC after seeing off co-hosts Australia.

Sweden defeated the home side 2-0 in a keenly contested clash between the two at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday morning.

Two goals in either half, the first a penalty, were all Sweden needed to break the hearts of the home fans and their Maltidas.

Sweden
Sweden celebrate a fourth bronze medal win. (Photo Credit: FIFAWWC/X)

Australia vs Sweden: Brief

After both teams saw their dreams of making it to the end final ended in the last four, this fixture presented both sides the chance to return to winning ways and take something tangible home.

Australia were beaten by European champions England while Spain defeated Sweden to set up an all-European final for the title.

Sam Kerr
Sam Kerr could not inspire Australia against Sweden. (Photo Credit: FIFAWWC/X)

The bronze medal match was on that both Sweden and Australia hoped to win but it was the Europeans who stole show.

It took a penalty for the visitors to find the breakthrough, with Fridolina Rolfo making no mistakes to put Sweden ahead at the break thanks to a VAR-assisted call.

Sweden were just too good for the Maltidas. (Photo Credit: FIFAWWC/X)

In the second half, Sweden made things difficult for the Maltidas who hardly threatened their visitors after the break.

Just after the hour mark, Sweden wrapped things up with their second of the as Kosovare Asllani ended whatever hopes Australia led by fantastic captain, Sam Kerr, had of a fightback with a brilliant winner.

What the win means

After the victory, Sweden have now won the bronze medal on four different occasions.

The win also means that Europe will take all the medals on offer, with one of England or Spain set to be crowned champions for the first time on Sunday.

Sweden
What the win means to Sweden. (Phtoto Credit: FIFAWWC/X)

Meanwhile, for the defeated co-hosts, Australia, they will be consoled by the fact that this FIFAWWC will be remembered as a memorable one for the Aussies.

The Maltidas’ run is the best for Australia in both the men and women’s world cups.

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