Thank you for joining me for this match which has seen Sweden secure their spot in the last 16. It was an emphatic performance who weathered the early Italian storm. Italy will now have to wait until the final group match to secure their spot in the knock-outs. France v Brazil is just about to begin so make sure you keep up to date with that and I’ll be back for Panama v Jamaica shortly. But for now, read the report from this one:
One of Sweden’s best goals came from Blackstenius. She has now scored at every major tournament she has played in, this World Cup is her sixth. Have a look at the goal (the clip is from the BBC and so some may not have access):
A third goal in a seven-minute spell for Sweden!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 29, 2023
Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius finishes from close range ⚽
Italy are shell-shocked 😱#FIFAWWC #SWE #ITA pic.twitter.com/AH8uVSrBju
An actual visual of me when Sweden scored a flurry of goals:
Admin right now 🤯#SWE | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/UrcVdJBxRX
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) July 29, 2023
So what do you think of Italy’s chances of qualifying for the knock-outs? A draw against South Africa would be enough if Sweden beat Argentina. But a win over South Africa would secure the spot for certain.
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And it is not just the England camp who have good injury news:
Some potential good news from the England camp:
What an action packed game and that is just the start of the day’s matches! France v Brazil promises to be a great match, you can catch all the details for that one here:
Sweden displayed their versatility with three goals from corners and two skilled open play scores. It is their biggest World Cup win since 1991.
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Full-time! Sweden 5-0 Italy
After a slow start Sweden went through the gears and scored from everywhere to secure their spot in the knock-out stages. They have arrived.
GOAL! Sweden 5-0 Italy (Blomqvist, 90+6')
What a counter! Italy have a corner and it’s popped in, Boattin can’t convert and Giacinti can’t get on the end of a ball coming out. Sweden win the ball back and Blomqvist makes a great run and touch to see it home.
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90 + 5 min: Greggi has a long pass but it has too much on it for Cantore to pick up.
90 + 3 min: Boattin closes down a cross from Janoby as both teams look to see this game out.
90 + 1 min: There will be six minutes added here, a lot for a game already done but we continue!
90 min: Sweden are next to create a chance with Jakobsson having a shot but Durante saves. Sweden make another change with Blackstenius off for Blomqvist.
88 min: The crowd keep counting down from 10 which is confusing watching from home, I believe they are timing a Mexican wave. Italy put together a good attack with Cantore crossing in and Giacinti sending it over the bar.
86 min: Blackstenius slips in the box which prevents her from taking a shot. The slip has seen her stay on the deck, I think it’s just a but of cramp. Linari comes over to help her up.
84 min: I’ve just realised when Seger made her debut for Sweden, Italy’s Dragoni was -2. Dragoni is 16 and Seger’s Sweden career is 18. The fact I am working this out shows how the last minutes of this one has slowed.
82 min: Jakobsson gets a ball across goal but no one can collect, she would have been judged offside regardless. The energy from this game has been completely zapped.
80 min: Salvai tackles Blackstenius with perfect timing in the box to prevent a chance. Janoby has Sweden’s next chance but her shot is wide.
78 min: I was eight when Seger made her Sweden debut in 2005, her longevity is incredible. 21,143 people in the stadium in Wellington tonight.
76 min: Italy play a long ball out and Sweden make more changes. Kaneryd and Rubensson are off for Jakobssson and Seger. This is Seger’s 237th cap – that is insanely impressive! Italy make a change with Beccari off for Giancinti.
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74 min: Sweden’s passes are beautiful, it allows them to unlock Italy so easily. Kaneryd gets into the box but Linari again times her tackle well.
72 min: Linari sees it out for a goal kick and Italy make another change with Caruso off for Cernoia.
71 min: Italy take the corner short to Greggi, she crosses in but they can’t get on the end of it.
70 min: Serturini gets the ball into the area but Sweden clear easily, Italy come again and Serturini crosses in and Greggi gets a shot deflected out for a corner.
68 min: Beccari is back to her feet and she will continue in this match.
67 min: Beccari slips while creating an attack and she stays down, this looks painful. There will be a break in play while she receives treatment.
66 min: Giugliano makes a great long range pass and it comes to Cantore but it’s wide.
65 min: Richard has got in touch and said: “For me it’s at home in SW France, enjoying the sunshine. I am supporting Italy, although it’s clearly a lost cause, because four years ago, when the tournament was in France, we went to watch Italy v China in the knockout stages in Montpellier. It was our nearest game, we wanted to support women’s football, and who wouldn’t wanting a couple of nights in Montpellier, with supporters of all countries around and a great atmosphere? The rapport between the Italian team and their fans was amazing, so we became instant supporters.” Sadly for you yes it does feel the game is gone, I don’t think Italy will score here. Sweden are once again on the attack.
63 min: A long range pass comes to Blackstenius, who times her run well but her shot is wide. Sweden make their first changes as Asllani and Rolfo are off for Schough and Janogy.
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61 min: The first changes of the match come form Italy as Dragoni, Bonansea and Di Guglielmo off. Greggi and Serturini are on, I didn’t catch the final one but I shall update you as soon as I know. Italy thought they had won a corner but it’s ruled a goal kick.
59 min: Beccari and Eriksson clash, the Swedish defender taking more of a blow but they are okay to continue.
57 min: Ilestedt is now second in the Golden Boot race, only trailing Brazil’s Ary Borges on minutes played! If she manages to get another in this match she will top the chart.
56 min: Andersson’s delivery is good again and Durante punches away, it comes back but the shot is over the bar.
55 min: Uh oh, not good news for Italy as Sweden have a corner. Another goal could be inbound.
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53 min: Durante needs some treatment after that challenge but I think she is okay to continue.
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52 min: If 3-0 felt like a mountain to climb, 4-0 will feel like the Mordor volcano for Italy now. They will be hoping for a Frodo miracle but Sweden come again. Blackstenius has a chance but Durante does well to time her challenge.
GOAL! Sweden 4-0 Italy (Ilestedt, 50')
Sweden win a corner through Rolfo, can they score again? Yes they do! After three attempts Ilestedt’s header is home.
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49 min: Salvai does well to nick the ball off of Blackstenius in the box, the Italian clears and it comes to Angeldahl whose shot is wide.
47 min: Italy’s back line are trying to give me a heart attack, another loose pass to Durante is almost pounced upon by Blackstenius.
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Back underway! Sweden 3-0 Italy
Can Italy get back into this? Or will Sweden inflict more goals? Action is back underway …
Kari has got in touch and said: “That third goal shows that Sweden really benefits from having a settled forward line. They’ve played so much together that they’re capable of putting together complex attacking patterns that are beyond most national teams.” Yes the Blackstenius goal was well worked and they cut through the Italian defence like hot butter.
If things stay as they are Sweden will book their spot in the last 16! They weathered the early Italian storm and now they are basking in the sun.
Arsenal fans will be happy with that half too! Stina Blackstenius was the Gunners’ top scorer last season and Amanada Ilestedt has signed for the club in the transfer window.
Half-time! Sweden 3-0 Italy
How about this then?! Italy started the better side but Sweden got the opener from a corner. Once the first goal came the scoring tap poured. The team got another from a corner and then a stunner from Blackstenius sees them three goals to the good.
45 + 5 min: The free kick is thundered in and Beccari gets a shot away but it’s blocked well.
45 + 4 min: Beccari wins a free kick for Italy in a scoreable position.
45 + 3 min: There was so much action I haven’t told you how much added time there is, there are four minutes added. I am actually stunned how Sweden have got to 3-0, they were definitely growing into this but this is another level!
GOAL! Sweden 3-0 Italy (Blackstenius, 45+1')
If you can find Italy could you tell them to get on the pitch? They have completely fallen apart. Asllani pops it in and Durante is in a bad position, Blackstenius has an open goal.
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45 min: It comes off of Rolfo’s knee but Bonansea also gets a touch, I think Rolfo will be awarded the goal as her hit was on target.
GOAL! Sweden 2-0 Italy (Rolfo, 44')
And again from the set piece! Andersson pings it in and this time Rolfo scores.
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43 min: Italy have not hit back since the goal, Sweden have marshalled them really well. Oh my word that was almost embarrassing for Italy. An awful back pass to Durante gave Blackstenius the ball on a plate! The keeper does so well to time her tackle on the Arsenal star to perfection to win it! Sweden do win a corner though.
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41 min: Sweden score from a corner, water is wet and fire is hot. The set pieces from Sweden continue to be lethal and after all the positive early play Italy need to strike back.
GOAL! Sweden 1-0 Italy (Ilestedt, 39')
Kaneryd wins a corner from Boattin, Andersson sends it in and Ilestedt pops it home!
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38 min: Italy started so well, so dynamic and fast paced but Sweden have a hold of this game now. The Italians have not been able to have sustained possession in the last ten minutes or so. What the team are doing well though is winning fouls when under pressure, Boattin the latest to draw one from Angeldahl.
36 min: Bonansea barges Bjorn, preventing her from making a long pass, and draws the foul. And what a ball that is, a storming run from Blackstenius picks it up but her cross does not find a teammate.
34 min: A really long build-up from Sweden and Rolfo plays to the edge of the box, she is about to pop a shot away but Linari times her tackle perfectly to thwart it.
32 min: Caruso wins another foul, she is doing everything right when her team are under pressure this evening. Sweden target Italy’s backline again and this time it works, Salvai loses out but they can’t create a chance. Bonansea is then fouled by Rubensson, Italy can clear again.
30 min: She limps to the side of the pitch after treatment but she is okay to continue. Sweden have a corner, it’s delivered well but Durante punches away.
29 min: Di Guglielmo is down injured here, she blocked Rolfo’s shot at goal and has not got back to her feet since.
28 min: Sweden spark to life as Blackstenius sends a ball through to Asllani but none of her teammates can get a clean touch on her cross. They come again and Rolfo has a shot blocked. Peter has got in touch and said: “Greetings from California, where it is well into the midnight hour. Italy are looking more ambitious, locked in and energetic so far. The Swedes are pretty shapeless and are misplacing simple balls as if they had too much summer glogg right before the match.” Sweden are starting to settle into this one and look dangerous!
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26 min: No much to report from the last few minutes, both have settled into this one now and their defence is strong.
24 min: Blackstenius continues to pressure Durante when she is passed the ball, they must have singled out Italy’s defensive play as a way to strike. Sweden create their first chance on target, Angeldahl’s cross is initially well defended but it comes to Rubensson whose shot is saved by Durante.
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22 min: Boattin is up and okay to continue, a great sign for Italy as she is one of their best players.
21 min: There is a break in play as Boattin is down with injury, she looks in a bit of pain here. It may be a dead leg, Asllani seems to have got a knee into her thigh.
20 min: Poor play from Italy at the back! The ball is played back to Durante but Blackstenius pressures the keeper and wins a throw in. The Swedish set piece is good but Caruso manages to draw a foul to relieve some pressure.
18 min: When Sweden are patient with their build-up play they create chances but they are forcing passes at the moment if their attack stalls. Italy show Sweden what I mean immediately, they have great bit of play with some great passing to give Cantore a shot. Musovic saves but spills it once more, she eventually collects but that was nervous play! The keeper looks like she took a knock but she is okay to continue.
16 min: Boattin pops the ball in but Eriksson reads it to head away. It’s Sweden’s turn to have some time on the ball and they are patient, running it through their back line before attacking. Andersson loses out with a loose pass but Sweden’s ball recovery is good. They spot a good opportunity with Angeldahl but the pass has too much on it and it’s out for a goal kick.
14 min: The Italian throw in is nicked by Rubensson but she loses out with Ilstedt employed to make a great challenge in the box to stall the Italian attack.
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12 min: Boattin takes it and it worries Musovic enough for her to punch away, it’s a good hit by the keeper but Italy remain in possession. The ball exchanges hands quickly but Italy come away with it, the team have the upper hand at the moment.
10 min: Dragoni does so well to keep the ball alive in Italy’s latest attack and Cantore draws a foul from Andersson, a free kick to come.
9 min: Italy work their way up the pitch and Caruso has a lovely pass through to Beccari but she can’t keep control. It’s now Sweden’s turn to counter and Blackstenius has a skilful turn but she can’t get a shot away.
8 min: The start of this one has seen Italy the better team so far but it has not been clinical from either side. The play seems rushed as both try and land the first blow in the encounter. Asllani makes a great run and has a one two on the edge of the box but she is muscled off the ball.
6 min: There’s frantic midfield play and Boattin is ruled offside with Sweden clearing their lines.
4 min: Giugliano sends it in but Caruso’s hit is way over the bar.
3 min: Now Sweden try and land an early punch as the ball is threaded through to Angeldahl but she cannot get to it and Italy counter. They quickly get into the final third and cross it in, winning a corner.
2 min: An early chance for Italy! A lovely run down the right from Cantore, she dribbles into the box and rifles off a shot but Musovic saves. The keeper spills it but then collects.
Kick-off! Sweden 0-0 Italy
Here we go then! Sweden or Italy will progress to the knock-outs if they manage to bag all three points. If it is a draw the group will be decided in the final round of group matches.
An update from elsewhere in the tournament, Norway’s Ada Hegerberg is unavailable for their match against the Philippines. Hegerberg was a late change in Norway’s match against Switzerland after sustaining a groin injury.
The players are out on the pitch and the anthems will soon follow. Who will secure their spot in the next round? Let me know your predictions.
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Here are all the fixtures in the World Cup today, an action packed schedule:
We're back and ready to rock again! 😎 #FIFAWWC | #BeyondGreatness
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 29, 2023
Here are some key players for today’s match, you can click through and view any player from the tournament:
Everything at the tournament is not rosy with players still facing issues in the sport. Have a watch:
England beat Denmark yesterday thanks to a sensational Lauren James goal. It was James’ first start at an major tournament and she took the opportunity with both hands:
She’s back! Australia captain Sam Kerr has said she is fit for the side’s match against Canada but has not revealed if she is able to start the game:
How is everyone dealing with the time difference for watching the matches at the tournament? Let me know and mention where you’re reading from via Twitter or email.
And on what Italy’s expectations are for this World Cup: ““Our goal is to qualify for the knockout stage, even if it won’t be easy,” Bertolini said. With Sweden as the clear favourites for Group G, Italy need to overcome Argentina and South Africa to advance. The first game, to be played in Auckland on 24 July against Argentina, looks pivotal.” Full piece:
Here is some information on Sweden’s star player from our guide: “Fridolina Rolfö showed her qualities with Wolfsburg but had never had a full season without injury before joining Barcelona, where the head coach, Jonathan Giráldez, converted her into a left-back. “I remember people thought that I was crazy at first for playing her as a left-back,” he told Fotbollskanalen. “But to me she isn’t a left-back, she’s a left-winger.” Someone who would make it into any national team, Rolfö can be the difference maker for Sweden.” Read the full piece:
Italy have made one change to their line-up but it is not the one you are thinking! Giancinti has been benched but for Cantore. Girelli remains on the bench.
Italy starting XI: Durante, Di Guglielmo, Linari, Giugliano, Cantore, Bonansea, Beccari, Dragoni, Boattin, Caruso, Salvai
The team news is here! Sweden have made no changes to the starting team from their win against South Africa.
Sweden starting XI: Musovic, Bjorn, Ilstedt, Eriksson, Andersson, Angeldahl, Asllani, Rubensson, Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Rolfo.
Italy’s updates incoming …
Mot tre nya poäng! 👊#SWE | #FIFAWWC
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) July 29, 2023
Preamble
Hello and welcome to a critical match in Group G between Sweden and Italy. Both nations won their opening matches and because Argentina and South Africa drew yesterday whoever wins this game will secure a spot in the knock-out stages.
It will be an interesting clash with both Sweden and Italy striking late to claim all three points in their first games. Sweden trailed South Africa 1-0 but managed to fight back to win 2-1 and Italy scored in the final few minutes to down Argentina 1-0.
Cristiana Girelli was the Italian player to head home the only goal in the match, she was a replacement and scored within four minutes of being on the pitch. Many thought that would be enough to win her a starting shirt for their match against Sweden.
Both countries team news will be out shortly and so we will see if Girelli has won her spot. Stay tuned for all the updates!
