WWC round-up: Sweden thrash Italy 5-0 as Brazil lose to France

July 29, 2023 4:06 pm

Sweden thumped their Italian counterparts 5-0 at the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday.

Peter Gerhardsson’s side secured their spot in the last round of 16 with an emphatic performance against Italy at the Wellington Regional Stadium, New Zealand.

Having weathered the early Italian storm, a brace from Amanda Ilestedt and a goal each from Fridolina Rolfo, Stina Blackstenius and Rebecka Blomqvist finished the job for the Swedish side to go top of Group G with a game to spare.

Italy will now have to wait for the outcome of the final group match to know if they qualify for a spot in the knock-out round.

In the other fixture, Wendie Renard headed a late winner as France moved to the top of World Cup Group F with a 2-1 victory over Brazil in Brisbane.

Renard, the Les Bleues center-back, scored in the 83rd minute to restore the French side lead after Eugenie Le Sommer’s 17th-minute opener had been cancelled out by Debinha just before the hour mark.

Claiming their first win of this summer’s tournament, having been held 0-0 by Jamaica in their opening group game, France leapfrogged Brazil at the top of the group.

In the second game in the group, Jamaica had Allyson Swaby to thank as the Reggae Girlz pipped Panama 1-0, putting the Lorne Donaldson’s ladies on the same points as France.

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