The Italian Women’s Football Team on Friday were handed their worst-ever defeat in the FIFA World Cup when they were thrashed by Sweden with a 5-0 loss at Wellington. The Swedish attacking line-up consisting of Amanda Ilestedt, Fridolina Rolfo, Stina Blackstenius, and Rebecka Blomqvist, all scored for their team in the mammoth victory. The dominating beatdown has ensured Sweden a place in the knockout stages with still a game to spare.
Three quick goals just before half-time helped Sweden to cement a dominating lead in the match. Ilestedt is having a dream run in the world cup, having scored 3 goals in two matches for Sweden so far. She scored twice in this match with Rolfo, Blackstenius, and Blomqvist chipping in with a goal each to help secure a comfortable victory and take Sweden to the top spot in the Group G standings.
Though Italy did start with a bang, almost getting the opening goal of the match within the first 60 seconds when forward Sofia Cantore fired a shot at the goal, but goalkeeper Zecira Musovic did a fantastic save to avoid an early tragedy. The Juventus forward tested the Musovic again in the 17th minute, but her effort was again saved by the keeper. Then onwards, it was all Sweden, who maintained maximum ball possession throughout the first half.
The first goal of the match came in the 39th minute when Amanda Ilestedt headed in Jonna Andersson’s precise corner into the nets, giving Sweden the lead. Italy didn’t even get time to recover from the blow and Fridolina Rolfo doubled their dismay with the second Swedish goal in the 44th minute. With two minutes of stoppage time added to the first half, Stina Blackstenius quickly followed up with the third goal as Team Sweden ended the first half with a healthy 3-0 lead.
Just five minutes into the second half, Ilestedt found the net once again as Sweden extended their lead to 4-0 with just 50 minutes on the clock. Substitute Rebecka Blomqvist was next to follow the trail, netting the fifth Swedish goal in stoppage time.
Cantore missed chances in the 60th and 65th minutes and Valentina Giacinti spurned a great opportunity to pull one back for Italy in the final minutes as she sent a shot from the middle of the box soaring over the bar.
In no way is Italy a weak team in the international football circuit, and they showed that during the early minutes of the game. But Sweden gradually worked their way into the game and Ilestedt’s first goal flung open the floodgates. The 2003 runners-up handed Italy their worst defeat in a World Cup match.
Sweden’s final Group G game is against Argentina in Hamilton, New Zealand on Wednesday. Italy concludes its group-stage campaign against South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand on Wednesday. Italy can still advance to the last 16 by avoiding defeat in their final Group G fixture against South Africa on Wednesday.
