August 02, (THEWILL) – A much-changed Sweden side demonstrated the depth of their squad in the Women’s World Cup as they secured a spot in the last 16 with a flawless record, defeating Argentina 2-0 on Wednesday.
Rebecka Blomqvist’s powerful second-half header, courtesy of Sofia Jakobsson’s well-placed cross, set the tone for Sweden’s victory. Substitute Elin Rubensson added to the tally with a perfectly executed penalty in the 90th minute, sealing the win and ensuring Sweden’s status as Group G winners. Meanwhile, Argentina’s hopes of advancement were dashed, as they struggled to trouble the Swedish defence and concluded their World Cup campaign without a single win in their four appearances.
With qualification already secured after their first two matches, Sweden approached the game with calculated changes, making nine alterations from their previous triumphant 5-0 victory against Italy. Coach Peter Gerhardsson’s strategic rotations allowed other players to show their talent, resulting in a less explosive but still effective performance.
Olivia Schough’s weak free-kick in the first half was the only shot on target during the initial period, reflecting the team’s more subdued play. However, Blomqvist’s breakthrough goal in the second half and the late penalty secured by her brought them another victory, setting up a highly anticipated showdown with holders, United States, in Melbourne on Sunday.
That second-round matchup will be reminiscent of their intense Olympic quarterfinal clash in 2021, where Sweden emerged victorious en route to the final.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
