Italy are hoping to build on a quarter-final finish at the 2019 World Cup, which was their first time in the tournament since 1999.

But they finished bottom of their group at Euro 2022 in England with only one point.

"This World Cup is important - just as the previous one - because it does continue the growth process. We have qualified for two World Cups in a row and this is extraordinarily important for the growth in Italy," said manager Melina Bertolini.

"Our movement keeps growing. It's a very young movement; it's still fragile."

Image source, BBC Sport

Third-ranked Sweden are up against an Italy side that are 13 places below them at 16th.

Sweden midfielder Kosovare Asllani plays her club football in Italy at AC Milan and knows what to expect against Milena Bertolini's side.

"I'm quite used to that type of football. It's very focused on man-marking and we know that there will be tough situations," she said.

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Wellington Regional Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

What's this? Sweden's players outsmarting the fashion conscious Italians - at least off the pitch - at the World Cup?

The question is: will they be smart enough to sink Le Azzurre on the pitch?

The winners of this game will join Spain and Japan in the last 16.

It is the top two meeting in Group G and today's winners will guarantee a top-two finish and move into the knockout stages.

The group is concluded on Wednesday with Argentina against Sweden and South Africa v Italy.

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Watch highlights as Cristiana Girelli scores a late header to secure a 1-0 win for Italy against Argentina at the Women's World Cup 2023.

Watch highlights as Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt scores a late winner to lead her side to victory over South Africa at the Fifa Women's World Cup in Wellington.

That was the first match in Group G.

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Wellington Regional Stadium

Image source, Reuters

It's Saturday night in New Zealand's capital city and the bars and restaurants are rammed with revellers having a good time.

Many entertainment venues in Wellington are showing Women's World Cup matches on big screens and it was standing room only last night when England defeated Denmark.

This match hasn't quite got the numbers or the vibe from Thursday when defending world champions the United States drew 1-1 with the Netherlands here in front of a 27,000-plus crowd.

Still there is good support for both nations with plenty of yellow and blue for Sweden while Italy's unmistakable green, white and red flag is proudly on display around the stadium.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, .

Unsurprisingly, Sweden are unchanged from the team that started the game against South Africa when they came from behind to win 2-1.

Captain Kosovare Asllani plays her club football in Italy for AC Milan.

The vastly-experienced Caroline Seger, who is playing at her fifth World Cup, is not starting for the second straight game.

Sweden XI: Musovic, Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Anderson, Angeldahl, Asllani, Rubensson, Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Rolfo.

Subs: Falk, Enblom, Sembrant, Sandberg, Lennartsson, Janogy, Bennison, Seger, Jakobsson, Schough, Blomqvist, Hurtig

Image source, .

Italy once again include 16-year-old midfielder Giulia Dragoni from the start. Juventus forward Cristiana Girelli came off the bench to score the winner against Argentina in the last group game. But that is not enough to earn her a place in Milena Bertolini's starting XI.

There is one change as forward Sofia Cantore comes in for Valentina Giacinti.

Italy XI: Durante, Salvai, Boattin, Linari, Di Guglielmo, Giugliano, Bonansea, Beccari, Dragoni, Caruso, Cantore.

Subs: Giuliani, Baldi, Orsi, Bartoli, Lenzini, Severini, Glionna, Greggi, Cernoia, Giacinti, Girelli, Serturini.

We have reached double figures at the Fifa Women's World Cup and this is day 10.

And what a cracker we have to start us off as Sweden take on Italy, with kick-off at 08:30 BST.

We have live coverage on BBC Two so you can watch all the action in this very page by pressing the play button at the top of the page from 08:15 BST.

The teams are in, so no time to waste. Let's go.

Image source, Getty Images

Sweden needed a last-minute winner to seal their come-from-behind win over South Africa...

Image source, Getty Images

...before Italy scored in the 87th minute to see off Argentina in their opener.

Image source, Getty Images

Sweden and Italy go head-to-head now in Wellington and the winners will be into the last 16.

More late drama coming?

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