By Marissa ThomasBBC Sport
Last updated on 26 minutes ago26 minutes ago.From the section Women’s World Cup
Kosovare Asllani’s stunning second-half strike sealed victory for Sweden as they beat Australia to finish third at the Women’s World Cup.
She rifled in a shot from the edge of the area to add to Fridolina Rolfo’s first-half penalty as Sweden won the bronze medal match for the second World Cup in succession.
Despite the defeat, this represents co-hosts Australia’s best ever World Cup finish but the Matildas were unable to end on a high.
Rolfo’s penalty gave Peter Gerhardsson’s side the lead after a video assistant referee (VAR) check confirmed that Claire Hunt had clipped Stina Blackstenius in the box after 26 minutes.
And on the hour mark, Blackstenius played a superb square ball to Asllani, who stroked in a first-time shot to double their lead.
Australia capture the nations’ imagination
The Matildas’ achievement in finishing fourth cannot be understated in a country where football is not the number one sport.
Their 3-1 semi-final defeat by England was the most watched TV event in Australian history with 11.15 million viewers tuning in.
But they seemed deflated on Saturday and put in a tired performance, with even their talisman Sam Kerr struggling to make an impact on the game – in fact, she had the fewest touches of any player on the pitch in the first half.
Their best chances fell to Hayley Raso and Clare Polkinhorne, but they were both denied by Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.
Australia, who had only ever reached the quarter-finals once previously, in 2015, were the first hosts to reach the semi-finals since United States in 2003.
Their efforts in this tournament have certainly captured the hearts of the fans in green and gold and the hope will be that that leaves a lasting legacy.
More to follow.
Player of the match
AsllaniKosovare Asllani
with an average of 8.20
Sweden
Avg
Squad number9Player nameAsllaniAverage rating
8.20
Squad number18Player nameRolföAverage rating
7.94
Squad number23Player nameRubenssonAverage rating
7.71
Squad number11Player nameBlacksteniusAverage rating
7.69
Squad number19Player nameRytting KanerydAverage rating
7.60
Squad number16Player nameAngeldahlAverage rating
7.52
Squad number13Player nameIlestedtAverage rating
7.52
Squad number14Player nameBjörnAverage rating
7.51
Squad number6Player nameErikssonAverage rating
7.44
Squad number3Player nameSembrantAverage rating
7.39
Squad number2Player nameAnderssonAverage rating
7.29
Squad number1Player nameMusovicAverage rating
7.27
Squad number15Player nameBlomqvistAverage rating
7.19
Squad number8Player nameHurtigAverage rating
7.18
Australia
Avg
Squad number16Player nameRasoAverage rating
6.18
Squad number9Player nameFoordAverage rating
6.03
Squad number18Player nameArnoldAverage rating
5.91
Squad number20Player nameKerrAverage rating
5.89
Squad number19Player nameGorryAverage rating
5.70
Squad number23Player nameCooney-CrossAverage rating
5.69
Squad number7Player nameCatleyAverage rating
5.67
Squad number11Player nameFowlerAverage rating
5.57
Squad number