Sweden beat Australia 2-0 in Brisbane after a mammoth World Cup campaign for the Matildas which resulted in the country’s best finish at the tournament.
Australia coach Tony Gustavsson started the same 11 who looked out on their feet against England,and it showed in Brisbane. No other team has asked so much of so few.
Spain defeated the highest-ranked side left in the World Cup,Sweden,in a dramatic 90-minute showdown in Auckland to qualify for their first World Cup final.
Spain defied the Netherlands and a mercurial performance from Stefanie van der Gragt to advance,while Sweden blunted Japan’s Women’s World Cup charge and won through to another semi-final.
Spain and Sweden have booked a date in the semi-final on Tuesday after both team’s beat their opponents 2-1 on Friday.
After a rattling good match in “The Battle of Melby”,Sweden and their heroic goalkeeper have put the superpower Americans out of the World Cup.
Reigning World Cup champions the United States will want to dominate against World number 3. Sweden,when the two face-off in Melbourne for their round of 16 clash at AAMI Park on Sunday night.
FIFA did not immediately expel Russia from World Cup qualifying,deciding instead the squad can play at neutral venues using the “RFU” acronym for the country’s soccer federation. Poland immediately rejected the moves and Sweden indicated the same.
Real beat Atalanta 3-1,and City overcame Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-0 - but the big surprise in Europe is the ‘return of the God’ for Sweden.
Switzerland and Denmark are the latest nations to secure their spots at Euro 2020 and Italy have finished their qualifying campaign with a 9-1 win.
History-making Finland and Sweden qualified for Euro 2020,and Denmark kept their chances alive on a successful Saturday (AEDT) for Nordic soccer.