Sweden roared to an emphatic 5-0 victory against Italy in their second match of the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday.
Amanda Ilestedt scored the first of her two goals in the 39th minute when she got up well to head home Jonna Andersson’s corner and further efforts from Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius inside seven minutes ended the Group G match in favour of Sweden as they sealed their spot in the Round of 16.
Despite Italy dominating the early proceedings, Sweden gradually worked their way into the game and Ilestedt’s first goal flung open the floodgates. Rolfo got her second goal of the campaign five minutes later with a flick off her knee from close range as the Italian defence struggled to deal with another corner.
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The third goal came from open play in first-half stoppage time when Johanna Kaneryd broke down the right flank and crossed the ball to Blackstenius in the middle for the striker to finish. Ilestedt’s second goal in the 50th minute was a carbon copy of the first, as the Arsenal defender headed another into the net off a corner from Andersson.
The last Sweden goal came at the end of the match when Blomqvist raced clear of the Italian defenders and buried the ball in the bottom left corner of the net. Despite the defeat, Italy can still advance to the last 16 by avoiding defeat in their final Group G fixture against South Africa on Wednesday.