The Matildas have finished 4th in the FIFA Women’s World Cup after falling to Sweden in the Bronze Medal match on Saturday evening in Brisbane.
Once again, Gustavsson went with the same starting 11 which saw Cortnee Vine on the bench from the start and many observations from journalists and fans was that the squad looked very tired.
Sweden looked hungrier and they took the lead after a VAR review gave them a penalty for a trip inside the box. The spot kick was dispatched with confidence and bar some impressive goalkeeping from Mackenzie Arnold, it could’ve been more.
In the second half, it was more of the same from the Australians as they huffed and puffed but couldn’t get many chances at goal.
Cortnee Vine was introduced in the 60th minute and through no fault of hers, the Swedes doubled their lead in the 62nd minute. Vine would go on to have 23 touches in the game and completed 100% of her dribbles.
There ultimately would not be the fairytale ending for the co-hosts who fell 2-0 to Sweden who took home the Bronze Medal in the ground-breaking tournament.
It was a fantastic tournament from Cortnee Vine who dispatched the winning penalty to send Australia to the Semi-Finals of the World Cup for the very first time and created Australian footballing history.
This World Cup has transformed Australian football and we can’t wait for the Liberty A-League season to get going which starts on the 14th of October 2023.
Support the league and grab your Liberty A-League Women’s Membership here.
