Sweden clinched third place in the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup by defeating co-hosts Australia 2-0 in the playoff on Saturday.
The goals for the winning side were scored by Fridolina Rolfo and Kosovare Asllani. Rolfo converted a penalty in the 30th minute, meanwhile Asllani doubled the lead in the 62nd minute of the match.
Despite ending the World Cup with another defeat, the Matildas still achieved their best result at the tournament having never previously gone beyond the quarter-final stage.
It must be noted that Spain beat Sweden 2-1 in the first semi-final with all three goals coming in the last 10 minutes of the match. Meanwhile, England beat co-hosts Australia 3-1 in the other last four clash.
England will lock horns with Spain in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on Sunday at Stadium Australian in Sydney.
A sell-out crowd at Stadium Australia is expected considering that this mega event has been the best-attended in Women´s World Cup history.
Both teams have met 11 times in international matches in the past with England winning six of those matches. Spain have tasted victory just twice, meanwhile three matches ended in a draw.
The last time these two teams met was in the quarter-final of Women’s European Championship in 2022 at the Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England. The home side won that clash 2-1 courtesy goals by Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway. England went on to win the tournament as well after beating Germany in the final for their first major title.