Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

England vs Sweden result: Lionesses fall to Sweden in Women's World Cup third place play-off

Phil Neville's side ended their French adventure empty handed

Callum Rice-Coates
Nice
Saturday 06 July 2019 18:09 BST
Comments
England fans react to ups and downs as Lionesses knocked out of World Cup in semi-final

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

England missed out on a third-placed finish at the Women's World Cup as they were beaten 2-1 by Sweden in their play-off in Nice.

Sweden raced into a 2-0 lead at the Allianz Riviera, with Kosovare Asllani firing in in the 11th minute after an Alex Greenwood error and Sofia Jakobsson adding a fine strike in the 22nd. Phil Neville's Lionesses replied through Fran Kirby's left-footed effort just after the half-hour mark and two minutes later the ball was in the Swedes' net again courtesy of an Ellen White finish.

But, just had been the case in the 2-1 semi-final loss to the United States four days earlier, White had what she had thought was an equaliser disallowed following a VAR review.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

England 1-2 Sweden

49 minutes

It's been an end-to-end start to the second half, but no chances as yet. England make their first change of the game, Taylor replacing Mead.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:12

England 1-2 Sweden

50 minutes

Moore fires off a speculative effort from distance. There's plenty of power on it, but it flashes wide of the post.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:13

England 1-2 Sweden

52 minutes

Lindahl, who's been a calming presence in goal for Sweden so far, makes a rare mistake, rushing out to the ball and missing it completely, almost allowing Taylor through for an open goal. But the England forward doesn't react quickly enough, and Fischer does well to take the ball away from danger.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:15

England 1-2 Sweden

57 minutes

It's all a bit disjointed at the moment. Neither side has really got going since the restart. Kirby, who's been excellent today, tries to set White through but can't quite complete the pass. Then Scott hits a powerful shot from distance which cannons off Fischer.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:20

England 1-2 Sweden

58 minutes

Kirby does well again, surging down the right flank and cutting the ball back across goal from the byline. Unfortunately, her delivery is straight into the hands of Lindahl.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:21

England 1-2 Sweden

59 minutes

The signs are encouraging for England. Scott plays a clever pass to release Greenwood, who can't quite get a shot off in time. But Neville's side are very much in control as we approach the hour mark.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:23

England 1-2 Sweden

62 minutes

Bronze wins a corner, from which Houghton, standing inside the six yard box, loops a header over the bar. She might feel she should have done better with that.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:24

England 1-2 Sweden

64 minutes

England continue to probe, causing an increasingly nervy Sweden defence plenty of problems. Taylor looks to race onto a long ball over the top but Lindahl, who's had an eventful second half, is out quickly to clear.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:27

England 1-2 Sweden

66 minutes

England are given a reminder of the threat Sweden pose on the break. Bronze is dispossessed in midfield and Bjorn plays an incisive pass into the path of Zigiotti, whose driven shot is straight at Telford.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:30

England 1-2 Sweden

68 minutes

It's not quite happening for England in the final third. Kirby breaks into the box after a quickly taken free kick and beats the onrushing Lindahl to the ball. There's no one else in a white shirt in the box to get on the end of her pull back, though.

Callum Rice-Coates6 July 2019 17:32

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in