Women’s World Cup: Sweden and Italy Prepare to Face Off

Sweden vs Italy

Keep your eyes on the action at the Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday as the top two teams in Group G come face to face.

Women’s World Cup: Sweden vs Italy is the pick of the weekend’s Group G games after both notched up impressive wins in their opener. Sweden beat South Africa 2-1 as Amanda Ilestedt scored a last-gasp winner, while Italy came through a tough encounter with Argentina thanks to a late goal from Cristiana Girelli.

Sweden are one of the favourites to win this tournament and so it’s no surprise that the Sweden vs Italy betting odds are backing a win for the Scandinavians, but Italy have some excellent players and will not roll over. The winner can book their place in the knockout phase while a draw would not be a bad result for either team.

Talking Points

Late winner gets Sweden moving

An opener against South Africa was a good test of Peter Gerhardsson’s team and they came through it; but only just. Ilestedt popped up in the 90^th minute to grab all three points and that takes some pressure off the Swedes. South Africa are no mugs…they won the 2022 African Cup of Nations and they went ahead, on 48 minutes, when Hildah Magaia pounced. But Sweden hit back quickly when Frida Rolfo’s deflected effort found the net to set up a grandstand finish for Sweden. With 69 per cent possession and 15 shots to ten the Swedes were worthy of their win, but vulnerable on the break and South Africa registered four shots on target.

The 62-year-old Gerhardsson took over as Sweden head coach in 2017 and has led them to a bronze medal at the 2019 World Cup and a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He has strength in depth in his team but the standout player is Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius. At 27 years of age she has her best years to come but she has already racked up 90 caps for Sweden and scored 14 goals for the Gunners last season.

And Italy can last the distance too

Le Azzurre showed that they can play to the whistle too as 87 minutes had passed before substitute Cristiana Girelli came off the bench to break the Argentine hearts. The Argentines were well organised, tough in the tackle and hard to break down; and it looked like the Italians were to be frustrated until head coach Milena Bertolini made the decisive switch, bringing on Juventus star Girelli in the 83^rd minute. The player who made way was Giulia Dragoni who, at 16 years, is one of the youngest players in the tournament’s history. The bright star is sure to make some Sweden vs Italy highlights whether she starts or comes off the bench; she’s a real talent with a glittering career ahead of her. A highly talented midfielder, Dragoni has recently moved from Inter Milan and is now registered by Barcelona as the first foreign player in the Blaugrana’s women’s academy. Dragoni is a key part of the future for Italy and part of a rebirth of the Azzurre team after Bertolini made the brave decision to leave the legendary Aurora Galli and captain Sara Gama out of her World Cup squad; and the team which made it to the 2019 World Cup quarter finals is in transition. As well as Dragoni, 18-year-old Juventus striker Chiara Beccari has a bright future and plenty to offer in this competition.

History

Sweden were World Cup runners-up in 2003 and European champions in 1984 but since then they have been a nearly team, constantly in the leading group in world football but falling at the final hurdle all too often.

Italy are twice runners up in Europe and twice quarter finalists in the World Cup, including the 2019 tournament.

Sweden have won four of the six encounters they have had with Italy and there hasn’t been a draw, with the Italians winning two of the last three.

In terms of recent form Italy have the edge, with three wins, one draw and two defeats from their last six matches while Sweden have won two, drawn two, and lost two.

Betting Tip

At SBOTOP odds of 1.72 the Swedes are strong favourites to beat the Italians who are priced at 3.78 with the draw at 3.11. The FIFA World Ranking of third shows how strong the Swedish team is (Italy are rated 16^th) and they have strength in depth.

But there is no shortage of quality in the Azzurre squad and they will fancy their chances of at least a point.

 

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