Sophia Braun (bottom) of Argentina vies with Anna Sandberg of Sweden during their Group G match at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Hamilton, New Zealand, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Sweden cruised into the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with an unbeaten run in the group stage.
HAMILTON, New Zealand, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Sweden made it into the last 16 of the Women's World Cup as they capped off the group stage with a 2-0 victory over Argentina here on Wednesday.
Sweden has already qualified for the round of 16 after notching up consecutive wins in the first two rounds, and a point would see them guarantee the top spot.
Argentina fought their way back from a 2-0 deficit against South Africa to grab a vital point in their last match. They came into this encounter against the Swedes knowing they have to win to have any chance of progressing.
Rebecka Maria Blomqvist (1st R) of Sweden celebrates scoring during the match. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Both sides created a couple of chances throughout the game but Sweden was more clinical as they went ahead in the 66th minute when Eva Jakobsson rolled across for Rebecka Blomqvist to open the scoring.
The European side made it double in the 90th minute as Blomqvist earned a spot-kick for Elin Rubensson to seal the win.
Sweden progressed out of Group G with nine points, followed by South Africa on four points, while Italy and Argentina ranked third and fourth respectively.
Sweden will face a challenge in the next round as they take on defending champion the USA, while South Africa meets the Netherlands. ■
