Le Harve, France- Sweden came in second in Group F as the U.S. Women’s National Team came out on top with 18 goal advantage and conceding zero so far in the tournament. Sweden’s 2-0 loss put the U.S. to be the first team to not be scored on in the group stage.
“It’s a good performance and we wanted to continue to build momentum, US head coach Jill Ellis said. “We have things to work on to make sure we’re sharper next game, and the players know that. It was a rival game and I thought the players showed a great mentality.”
U.S. midfielder Lindsey Horan opened up the match as she scored the earliest goal in the group stage in the third minute. Horan used a corner kick by Megan Rapinoe to her advantage and finished off the play with the first goal.
Sweden played a good defensive game to shut down opportunities on goal for their rivals and maintain the field well in doing so. In the 21’ minute, their offense took a solid run down the pitch as midfielder Kosovare Asllani took a shot that was straight to Alyssa Naeher on goal.
By the end of the first half, the U.S. kept their lead as Sweden were now looking ahead for possibilities in the second half of the match. Tobin Heath cut the ball past Sweden’s back-line and set the ball on goal to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead.
Although Heath did the work to place the ball at the back of the net, the goal was technically called as an own goal from Sweden as defender Jonna Andersson last made contact with the ball.
“It was the most difficult starting XI I’ve ever selected because there were so many parameters to consider,” Peter Gerhardsson, Sweden coach said. “We have complete control of all the players together with the medical team. We know we have a knockout match on Monday and that’s the most important game.”
Both the U.S. and Sweden will advance on to the Round of 16 as Sweden finished second in their group stage. For their next match, Sweden will face Canada on Monday, June 24 at 12 p.m. PST.
SCORING SUMMARY:
USA-Lindsey Horan, 3’
SWE-Jonna Andersson, 50’ (Own goal)
BOOKING SUMMARY:
USA-Kelley O’Hara, 59’ yellow card
SWE-Sofia Jakobsson, 87’ yellow card
SWEDEN: #1-Hedvig Lindahl, #2-Jonna Andersson, #3-Linda Sembrant, #9-Kosovare Asllani (#8-Lina Hurtig, 79’), #10-Sofia Jakobsson, #11-Stina Blackstenius, #13-Amanda Ilestedt, #15-Nathalie Bjorn, #16-Julia Zigiotti, #17-Caroline Seger (#4-Hanna Glas, 63’), #22-Olivia Schough (#18-Fridolina Rolfo, 56’)
Subs not used: #5-Nilla Fischer, #6-Mgdalena Eriksson, #7-Madelen Janogy, #12-Jennifer Falk, #14-Julia Roddar, #19-Anna Anvegard, #20-Mimmi Larsson, #21-Zecira Musovic, #23-Elin Rubensson
USA: #1-Alyssa Naeher, #3-Samantha Mewis, #4-Becky Sauerbrunn, #5-Kelley O’Hara, #7-Abby Dahlkemper, #9-Lindsey Horan, #13-Alex Morgan (#10-Carli Lloyd, 46’), #15-Megan Rapinoe (#2-Mallory Pugh, 82’), #16-Rose Lavelle (#23-Christen Press, 63’), #17-Tobin Heath, #19-Crystal Dunn
Subs not used: #18-Ashlyn Harris, #21-Adrianna Franch, #6-Morgan Brian, #8-Julie Ertz, #11-Ali Krieger, #12-Tierna Davidson, #14-Emily Sonnett, #20-Allie Long, #22-Jessica McDonald
TOTAL SHOTS: SWE 6-18 USA
SHOTS ON GOAL: SWE 2-4 USA
OFFSIDES: SWE 1-3 USA
CORNERS: SWE 2-5 USA
Culture
Women's World Cup
