Argentina have to win against already qualified Sweden for a chance to move into the last-16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
ARG-W vs SWE-W Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 2 August 2023
Time: 12:30 (IST) / 19:00 (NZST)
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
ARG-W vs SWE-W Match Preview
Heading towards another defeat with just more than 20 minutes left to play, Argentina pull off an unlikely comeback to draw 2-2 with South Africa. La Albiceleste suffered a 1-0 loss to Italy in the opening match and trailed 2-0 to the Banyana girls, they needed to find a way otherwise an early group exit was on the cards. Right-Back Sophia Braun's screamer from a long way out gave them inspiration in the 74th minute which resulted in substitute Romina Nunez’s blistering header five minutes later. Certainly, the best game played in the tournament so far, Argentina will take the point to keep their chances alive for their very first knockout qualification even though their search for first-ever victory in the Women’s World Cup remains. The final match against Sweden will not be a stroll in the park but their emphatic turnaround in the last match and their opposition already booking a last-16 berth will keep them optimistic. However, an unlikely victory will not be enough for them as they have to rely on the result between South Africa and Italy in the other match. The South American nation knows they do not have a favourable circumstance in hand. That does not mean they will lay their swords so easily.
Amanda Illestedt became the hero again as her two glancing headers in each half from corners helped Sweden thrash Italy 5-0 in their second group game. Fridolina Rolfo, Stina Blackstenius and substitute Rebecka Blomqvist got the other ones in the huge win. The newly signed Arsenal defender scored the crucial winner in the same manner in the 2-1 comeback win over South Africa prior. She has become the face of Sweden’s lethal dead ball routine, especially from corners. The team will be wishing to continue with their strategy as they moved to the knockouts for the eighth time. Remarkably, Illestedt is now on the top-scorer list of the tournament and will hope to continue her scoring form for a centre-back side-by-side with her obvious defensive duties. Having booked their place in the last-16, Sweden will now aim to win Group G to set up a huge tie with Netherlands or holders USA whoever finishes second in Group A if Portugal does not pull off an upset. The dominating win was important for the Blue and Yellow as they suffered in their opener but will be inclined towards three points in any way possible again facing Argentina in the final group game.
Recent Form (all comp)
ARG-W: DLWWD
SWE-W: WWWDL
Recent Form (World Cup)
ARG-W: DL
SWE-W: WW
ARG-W vs SWE-W Predicted Lineups
ARG-W: Correa; Braun, Cruz, Cometti, Stabile; Nunez, Falfan, Benitez, Bonsegundo, Banini; Larroquette
SWE-W: Falk; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Rubensson; Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; Blackstenius
ARG-W vs SWE-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Falk (8)
DEF: Braun (8.5), Bjorn (9), Illestedt (8.5), Andersson (7.5)
MID: Y Rodriguez (8.5), Asllani (9), Bonsegundo (9)
FW: Banini (8.5), Blackstenius (8), Rolfo (8.5)
Vice-captain: Fridolina Rolfo
Captain: Amanda Illestedt
