Summary

  • Sweden claim third place at Women's World Cup for second successive tournament

  • FT: Sweden 2-0 Australia - Rolfo scored with penalty after VAR review, Asllani with fine finish for second

  • Co-hosts Australia finish with two defeats in a row after losing to England in last four

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Postpublished at 08:59 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Sweden v Australia (09:00 BST)

    Rachel Brown Finnis predictions graphicImage source, BBC Sport

    I think Australia will win this match and finish third in the World Cup.

    Sweden won't have the desire to finish third again after being there before. Like England proved when they reached the third-place play-off in both 2015 and 2019, the first time around there is a real desire to win, but second time around, very much less so.

    Australia will want to go out on a high and although Sweden have real attacking options and are good at set-pieces, Sam Kerr will want to make up for the chances she missed in the semi-final when she could - and should - have scored a hat-trick against England.

    She's not been able to play much in this tournament and will want to do it for her country.

    Prediction: Sweden 2-3 Australia, after extra time.

  2. 'We want to silence the stadium'published at 08:58 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Sweden v Australia (09:00 BST)

    Sweden's Kosovare AsllaniImage source, Getty Images

    If we've learnt anything at this tournament it's that Australian fans will show up in numbers and get behind their team.

    This match is taking place at the 52,500-capacity Brisbane Stadium and Sweden forward Kosovare Asllani is relishing playing in a hostile atmosphere.

    "I love it, it's a particular feeling to have an entire stadium against you," said Asllani.

    "Of course, we were disappointed after the last match - we wanted to go all the way to the final.

    "At the same time, playing for a medal is a huge thing, and something we're proud of.

    "We don't want to leave here without it. We want to silence the stadium and bring that medal home. Everyone's more than ready. We're going to do everything we can to win this medal for Sweden."

  3. 'This is a game to win'published at 08:57 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Sweden v Australia (09:00 BST)

    Tony GustavssonImage source, Getty Images

    Who said nobody wants to play in the third-place play-off?

    Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson said earlier this week this is a match he wants to win and that he would pick his best 11 for the job.

    "I can't pick based on emotions. This is a third-place game and we're playing for a medal," said Gustavsson.

    "I'm going to make sure we have a line-up that is the strongest starting line-up we can have but also the strongest finishing line-up.

    "It's not about giving players experience just for the sake of giving experience.

    "If it was emotional, those players [who have not featured yet] would play because they deserve to play. This is a game to win."

  4. Postpublished at 08:56 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Sweden v Australia (09:00 BST)

    National anthems are under way in Brisbane so let's get back to this third-place play-off match...

    Sweden sing their national anthemImage source, Getty Images
  5. 'We hope we play our best game'published at 08:55 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Spain v England (Sun, 11:00 BST)

    England

    More from England manager Sarina Wiegman: "It's incredible what happens. We have felt support - we have felt support here but also from the other side of the world in the UK. That is something that you dream of.

    "We just hope we play our best game ever tomorrow and that everyone who is watching in the stadium and in the UK also, and every place else, can support us and enjoy it."

  6. Get Involvedpublished at 08:54 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply)

    So, with that in mind, what are your highlights of this World Cup?

    Can be on or off the field, maybe a player you've enjoyed watching or a superb goal. Or something away from the pitch like fans, atmosphere or inspiring young kids to start playing football.

    Get in touch with us in all the usual ways!

  7. Memorable moments from the World Cuppublished at 08:52 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Well, we're almost at the end of what has been a fantastic, entertaining (and long) tournament.

    Match 63 of 64. It's almost time to say goodbye to the Women's World Cup for another four years.

    Going to miss it? Don't worry, we've put together a list of memorable moments away from the pitch from this tournament.

    From Lord of the Rings, broken arms, bored players and Colombia fans bringing the noise and entertainment to the party.

    You can have a read here and feel all nostalgic.

    Colombia fansImage source, Getty Images
  8. 'Stick with us one more game'published at 08:50 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Spain v England (Sun, 11:00 BST)

    England

    England captain Millie Bright's message to the fans: "As a group we would like to say thank you, not only to the fans back home but to the fans out here as well.

    "We have felt really welcomed and really special over here.

    "Every game has been incredible, I think everyone has seen that here first hand. But back home, we have seen the videos, we really appreciate everyone who has set their alarm clocks and made the effort to support us, even though we are a million miles apart.

    "It's amazing what football can do, really bringing everyone together, but especially our nation.

    "We are really proud and just stick with us one more game."

  9. 'A shot at the trophy we always wanted'published at 08:48 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Spain v England (Sun, 11:00 BST)

    England

    Millie Bright was asked what she would have said as a nine-year-old if someone had told her she would be captain England at a World Cup final : "I probably would have said you are being silly and it was never going to happen, but this shows dreams do come true.

    "It is a really proud moment. As a squad we are just really proud of our journey in the tournament and how far we have come. We are finally getting a shot at the trophy we have always wanted."

  10. Spicy media conference with Spain bosspublished at 08:46 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Stadium Australia

    A spicy press conference with Spain's Jorge Vilda here at Stadium Australia ahead of tomorrow's World Cup final.

    He was asked about the dispute between players, the federation and himself by foreign journalists and did not directly respond.

    He dismissed the first question of the press conference with "next question please" after a Brazilian journalist asked about unrest within the squad.

    It was tough to pick up the exact words of the question in translation but it received several gasps from the Spanish media.

    Later in the conference he was asked by an English journalist whether he felt he should apologise for several of the world's best players not being here. He replied: “What we want to do tomorrow is to be the best in the world and we’ll do this by winning the final.”

  11. 'A whole new situation'published at 08:44 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Spain v England (Sun, 11:00 BST)

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman on whether she is approaching this World Cup final any differently than she did when coaching the Netherlands in 2019: "This is a whole new situation. It is not 2019. I am coaching another team. I think England is in a very god place. Everyone is fit. We grew in the tournament. We grew in confidence. We just prepared as we always do."

    On whether she will be the next head coach of England's men's team: "I have nothing about that. Let's just talk about the final tomorrow."

  12. Postpublished at 08:44 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    As we build up to this match, media conferences build up to tomorrow's World Cup final are also taking place.

    England boss Sarina Wiegman is speaking to the media before the Lionesses take on Spain tomorrow with Spain boss Jorge Vilda also facing the press.

    We'll hear from them as we go, too.

  13. Sweden have been here beforepublished at 08:42 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Sweden v Australia (09:00 BST)

    While this is new territory for Australia, it's familiar ground for Sweden.

    This is the fourth time they have featured in the third-place play-off, having reached the semi-finals on five occasions but progressed to the last two only once - in 2003 when they were beaten by Germany in the final.

    They have taken bronze on all three occasions that they have been involved in this match so Australia have a tough job on their hands to stop them making that four today.

    Sweden 2011 World CupImage source, Getty Images
    Sweden 2019 World CupImage source, Getty Images
  14. Australia looking to go one betterpublished at 08:40 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Sweden v Australia (09:00 BST)

    Sam Kerr celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Co-hosts Australia are already guaranteed their best finish in a World Cup with their previous best a quarter-final exit on three separate occasions.

    They have put on a superb tournament with some excellent performances along the way.

    Cruising through their group and thrashing Olympic gold medallists Canada, beating France on penalties to reach the last four and that sumptuous Sam Kerr strike in the semi-final against England.

    Can they put the cherry on the cake today?

  15. How did we get here?published at 08:38 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Sweden v Australia (09:00 BST)

    So, how did we get to this point?

    Sweden, ranked third in the world, lost 2-1 to Spain in a dramatic match which saw all the action take place in the space of about eight minutes.

    Salma Paralluelo opened the scoring for Spain in the 81st minute before Rebekah Blomqvist equalised seven minutes later.

    But just one minute later Olga Carmona hammered home to send Spain into the final for the first time and break Swedish hearts.

    Then, co-hosts Australia were beaten 3-1 by England with the Lionesses denying the Matildas the perfect end to their party on home soil.

    Ella Toone opened the scoring for England before Sam Kerr netted a stunning equaliser. But, ultimately that didn't matter as goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo sealed the Lionesses' progression into the final.

  16. Team news - Kerr startspublished at 08:36 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Sweden v Australia (09:00 BST)

    Sweden head coach Peter Gerhardsson makes no changes to the side that narrowly missed out on a place in the final after eight minutes of late drama against Spain.

    It was substitutes Lina Hurtig and Rebecka Blomqvist who combined for Sweden's late equaliser, which was ultimately cancelled out, but the pair will hope to have a similar impact from the bench today.

    Defender Amanda Ilestedt is tied with three other players on four goals for the Golden Boot with Japan's Hinata Miyazawa still leading with five goals.

    Starting XI: Musovic, Andersson, Eriksson, Asllani, Blackstenius, Ilestedt, Bjorn, Angeldahl, Rolfo, Kaneryd, Rubensson

    Australia also opt for the same starting line-up that started against England in the semi-final.

    Defender Alanna Kennedy remains out for a second match with concussion symptoms.

    The big news of course is that Sam Kerr is once again fit to start and she partners Mary Fowler up top.

    Will we see another moment of magic from the tournament's poster girl?

    Starting XI: Arnold, Polkinghorne, Catley, Foord, Fowler, Hunt, Raso, Gorry, Kerr, Carpenter, Cooney-Cross

  17. Postpublished at 08:34 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport at Stadium Australia

    .Image source, BBC Sport

    These two teams would have loved to have been at Stadium Australia today carrying out media duties and doing a final pitch familiarisation session ahead of the World Cup final.

    Instead, it is Spain and England we are waiting to hear from and they will arrive at the stadium to new banners and branding.

    It's been a busy few days in Sydney and everyone who is anyone is here to watch the showpiece.

    Fifa's Women's Football Convention has taken place at the ICC in the city centre on Darling Harbour with speakers including Emma Hayes, Arsene Wenger, Ian Wright and Jill Ellis.

    They will all be here tomorrow to watch Spain v England.

  18. Good morning!published at 08:32 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Morning, folks!

    Match 63 of 64 is upon us - the third-place play-off.

    While this is not where either Sweden or Australia wanted to find themselves this weekend - they'd rather be in Sydney preparing for the final - this is still a match both sides will be keen to win.

    It's a chance to end on a high and leave the tournament with bronze.

    Think of it as an appetiser before the main course tomorrow.

  19. Postpublished at 08:30 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    It's the one teams would rather not be a part of.

    But pride is still on the line.

    Magda Eriksson looks dejectedImage source, Getty Images
    sam kerr looks dejectedImage source, Getty Images