2023 World Cup: Argentina Women vs Sweden Women – Match preview, live stream, kick-off time, prediction, team news, lineups
Argentina are looking to book their place in the last-16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup when they face Sweden on Wednesday.
Sweden have already qualified for the last-16 but will be looking to secure the top spot in the group – where they will face the USA.
Argentina World Cup campaign
Argentina’s world cup campaign started off with a 1-0 loss to Italy then a 2-2 draw with South Africa. They entered the final 20 minutes of the South Africa match with a two-goal deficit, but remarkably managed to claw back to see the match end with a draw.
A long-range strike from Sophia BRauna and a clinical header from Romina Nunez saw Argentina snag their first point in the tournament.
Despite the point, they are still hunting for their first win at a Women’s World Cup final.
Argentina are still two points off second-place Italy so they will need to pull off a massive World Cup upset and beat Sweden to have any chance of making the last-16.
However, a win might not even be enough as their fate would also depend on the result of the group’s other game – Italy vs South Africa.
Sweden World Cup campaign
Sweden are ranked third in the Fifa world rankings and have got off to an impressive start – bagging all the points available from the first two games.
They beat South Africa 2-1 and then thrashed Italy 5-0.
Sweden have now reached the knockout rounds at eight of the nine Women’s World Cup finals, and they will be guaranteed to progress as group winners if they avoid defeat on Wednesday.
Team News
Argentina will have to cope without the services of Miriam Mayorga, who will serve a one-match suspension for receiving two bookings in the opening two games.
Mayorga’s absence could present Julieta Cruz with the opportunity to start alongside Aldana Cometti in central defence.
Nunez dropped out of the lineup for Friday’s contest, but after coming off the bench to score the equalising goal, she could be recalled for the final group game.
As for their opponents, Peter Gerhardsson is likely to keep changes to a minimum as Sweden look to secure top spot in Group G.
If the Sweden boss does make an alteration to his side, he may decide to give Blomqvist a starting opportunity after the Wolfsburg forward found the net late on against Italy.
After scoring in both of the opening two group games, Rolfo will be looking to continue her fine form when she features on the left flank on Wednesday.
Argentina Women possible starting lineup:
Correa; Braun, Cruz, Cometti, Stabile; Nunez, Falfan, Benitez, Bonsegundo, Banini; Larroquette
Sweden Women possible starting lineup:
Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Rubensson; Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; Blomqvist
WTX Sport predicts Sweden 3-1 Argentina
Argentina will give all they have but Sweden have the class to get all three points.