Women's World Cup 2023: Amanda Ilestedt nets two headers as Sweden cruise to win over Italy

Sweden stamped their ticket to the knockout stages of the 2023 Women’s World Cup with a 5-0 victory over Italy.

Italy and Sweden went into the game with top spot in Group G up for grabs, following wins in their opening matches.

It was a tight contest for half an hour, but Sweden took control with a three-goal burst in a six-minute spell prior to half-time.

Italy were ruthlessly exposed at defending set pieces, as Sweden threw down a marker for the remainder of the tournament after their shaky opening win over South Africa.

The opening salvos were evenly fought, but Sweden asserted their dominance and exposed a weakness in Italy’s defending when taking the lead from a corner on 39 minutes.

Jonna Andersson clipped the ball towards the near post and Amanda Ilestedt, who joined Arsenal from Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the summer, rose highest to glance the ball home.

Excellent goalkeeping from Francesca Durante denied Sweden a quick-fire second when she came off her line to make a sliding tackle on the edge of the box after a poor backpass had presented Stina Blackstenius with a superb chance.

The second was not long in coming, and it was almost a carbon copy of the opener as a corner was glanced on at the near post and Fridolina Rolfo stabbed home at the back post.

A third came in injury time at the end of the opening 45 minutes, as Sweden worked space in the box and the ball was crossed for Blackstenius to stab home.

Italy fans feared the worst when Sweden won a corner on 50 minutes, and those were well founded as Ilestedt beat two defenders in the air to nod home her second of the match.

Gloss was put on the scoreline when Rebecka Blomqvist broke clear in injury time to cap the win.

Sweden are well placed to top Group G, while Italy are still favourites to advance as a win over South Africa in their final game would take them through.

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