{"id":88559,"date":"2023-08-02T11:15:10","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T11:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/08\/02\/sweden-beat-argentina-to-set-up-usa-last-16-clash\/"},"modified":"2023-08-02T11:15:10","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T11:15:10","slug":"sweden-beat-argentina-to-set-up-usa-last-16-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/08\/02\/sweden-beat-argentina-to-set-up-usa-last-16-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"Sweden beat Argentina to set up USA last-16 clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sweden have reached the last four in five of their last six major tournaments
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Sweden beat Argentina to make it three wins from three at the Women\u2019s World Cup, clinching top spot in Group G and a mouth-watering last-16 clash with the USA.<\/p>\n

With first place essentially guaranteed thanks to a vastly superior goal difference, Sweden made nine changes in Hamilton and lacked the cohesion of their first two games but still had too much for their opponents.<\/p>\n

After a fiercely contested hour, Sweden\u2019s extra quality shone through, with Rebecka Blomqvist finding space in the box to power home Sofia Jakobsson\u2019s cross from close range.<\/p>\n

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Elin Rubensson put the result beyond doubt with a coolly taken late penalty after Blomqvist had been fouled in the box as Argentina sought to defend a free-kick.<\/p>\n

Argentina depart the tournament having finished bottom of the group with one point.<\/p>\n

They battled hard here but were unable to hurt the Swedes and claim what would have been a historic double at a World Cup finals \u2013 a maiden win and progression to the knockout rounds for the first time.<\/p>\n

South Africa join the Swedes in the last 16 after winning 3-2 against Italy in a dramatic game in Wellington.<\/p>\n

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