Matildas vs Sweden: Women's World Cup third place play-off live scores, blog

After a stellar run and a heart-breaking loss to England in the semi-final, the Matildas now chase third-place at the 2023 Women’s World Cup when they tackle Sweden in Brisbane. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6pm (AEST).

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It has been a month to remember for Australian football as the nation has ridden a wave of support behind the Matildas. Sadly, their World Cup dream came to an end in the semi-final against England, yet the small matter of a play-off for third place remains on the agenda.

Coach Tony Gustavsson pushed his starting eleven and limited reserves to the limit during the tournament; reluctant to make changes, the Australian substitutions averaged just 12 minutes per player.

Charlotte Grant, Alex Chidiac and Clare Wheeler will be hoping to play a role tonight and Gustavsson should now be thinking about what lies ahead for the team; blooding players tonight could prove valuable for them in terms of experience in the long run.

Perhaps farewells for Clare Polkinghorne, Aivi Luik, Lydia Williams and Kyah Simon are also on the cards, and with the broad options available to the manager in terms of squad selection, it is almost impossible to predict what kind of eleven he will send onto the pitch at the start of the match.

This will be something of a mental battle, with the Swedes also shattered after their semi-final loss to Spain. How they line up will also be a mystery and history indicates that play-off matches for lower positions generally drop in intensity.

Which side recuperates quickly and enters the match positively will come out the winner, with any leftover disappointment something that needs to be jettisoned heading into a play-off such as this.

Prediction

Sweden lost to Australia a few months back yet looked jet-lagged and poor. The passion with which they have played throughout the tournament suggests they will be far better this time around and looking to stake a claim as one of the favourites heading into the Olympic tournament in Paris next year.

I’m seeing a flat Matildas and a 3-0 win for Sweden.

Game information

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
TV: Channel 7
Streaming: Optus Sport, 7Plus
Betting: Sweden $2.45, draw $3.40, Australia $2.75 – odds via PlayUp

Teams

Sweden

Goalkeepers: Tove Enblom (Orebro), Jennifer Falk (Hacken), Zecira Musovic (Chelsea)
Defenders: Jonna Andersson (Hammarby), Nathalie Bjorn (Everton), Magdalena Eriksson (Bayern Munich), Amanda Itestedt (Paris Saint-Germain), Hanna Lundkvist (Atletico Madrid), Anna Sandberg (Hacken), Linda Sembrant (Juventus)
Midfielders: Filippa Angeldahl (Manchester City), Kosovare Asllani (AC Milan), Hanna Bennison (Everton), Lina Hurtig (Arsenal), Elin Rubensson (Hacken), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea), Olivia Schough (Rosengard), Caroline Seger (Rosengard)
Forwards: Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal), Sofia Jakobsson (San Diego Wave), Madelen Janogy (Hammarby), Rebecka Blomqvist (Wolfsburg), Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona)
Coach: Peter Gerhardsson

Australia

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham), Teagan Micah (Liverpool), Lydia Williams (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjo GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Aivi Luik (BK Hacken), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjo GIK)
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjo GIK), Emily Van Egmond (San Diego Wave), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann)
Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Hayley Raso (Real Madrid), Kyah Simon (unattached), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)
Coach: Tony Gustavsson