The 2019 World Cup semi-finalists, Sweden, demonstrated their dominance
in the women's game with Amanda Ilestedt, Fridolina Rolfo, and Stina
Blackstenius scoring in the first half. Ilestedt opened the scoring with
a header from Jonna Andersson's corner, while Rolfo doubled the lead
after another corner. Italy, who had recorded clean sheets in six of
their previous 13 World Cup matches, conceded a third when Blackstenius
finished from close range. In front of a crowd of 29,143, it went from
bad to worse for Le Azzurre when Ilestedt added the fourth goal of the
tournament, her third goal of the tournament, with another header from
another corner. Substitute Rebecka Blomqvist added the fifth in the 95th
minute.
Sweden, ranked third in the world behind defending world champions the
United States and Germany, sent a powerful message that they could go
deep into another tournament.
They have made it to the Olympic final two
years ago and made the semi-finals of Euro 2022. The team, based about
half an hour's drive from Wellington, attracted local support in New
Zealand's capital.
Italy left shell-shocked, but they have not long to recover before
facing South Africa in a match they must win to make sure of joining
Sweden in the last 16. They secured a narrow 1-0 win over Argentina in
their first group game, but were completely overwhelmed in this
all-European encounter.
After the men's national team failed to qualify for the past two World
Cups, the women are flying the flag on the world stage. They need a
much-improved performance against South Africa to stay in this
tournament. Le Azzurre started confidently and should have taken the
lead when Sofia Cantore's attempt was spilled but Lucia di Guglielmo
fired into the side-netting.
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