England vs Sweden result: Lionesses fall to Sweden in Women's World Cup third place play-off
Phil Neville's side ended their French adventure empty handed
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Your support makes all the difference.England missed out on a third-placed finish at the Women's World Cup as they were beaten 2-1 by Sweden in their play-off in Nice.
Sweden raced into a 2-0 lead at the Allianz Riviera, with Kosovare Asllani firing in in the 11th minute after an Alex Greenwood error and Sofia Jakobsson adding a fine strike in the 22nd. Phil Neville's Lionesses replied through Fran Kirby's left-footed effort just after the half-hour mark and two minutes later the ball was in the Swedes' net again courtesy of an Ellen White finish.
But, just had been the case in the 2-1 semi-final loss to the United States four days earlier, White had what she had thought was an equaliser disallowed following a VAR review.
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England 0-0 Sweden
6 minutes
England, determined to play the ball out from defence, are being caught out a little by Sweden's high press. First Telford dawdles on the ball and very nearly presents Blackstenius with an easy goal. Then an attempted through ball from the back is easily intercepted.
England 0-0 Sweden
10 minutes
There's a pause in play as Houghton goes down clearly in some discomfort. The physio is quickly onto the pitch and England's captain is fine to continue. She's been busy so far, though: Sweden are on top in the opening ten minutes.
GOAL! England 0-1 Sweden (Asllani)
11 minutes
Sweden lead! Immediately after play restarts, Rolfo finds space on the left and crosses into the middle. Greenwood's clearance is straight to the feet of Asllani, who drills a low shot into the bottom corner. Telford gets a touch on it, but can't keep it out.
England 0-1 Sweden
15 minutes
This hasn't been a convincing start from England. Sweden are well on top, finding gaps in the final third with ease and keeping Phil Neville's side at arms' length at the other end of the pitch.
England 0-1 Sweden
16 minutes
Nearly 2-0! Sweden are finding it far too easy to go direct and get in behind England's defence. They do it again, Jakobsson latching onto a long ball and hitting the post with her effort from a tight angle. The rebound hits the back of Telford and, rather fortuitously, goes behind for a corner.
England 0-1 Sweden
21 minutes
England are trying to find their rhythm in attack but nothing is working at the minute. Sweden, concerningly for the Lionesses, look assured and comfortable.
GOAL! England 0-2 Sweden (Jakobsson)
22 minutes
It goes from bad to worse for England! A brilliant goal from Jakobsson, who receives the ball on the left of England's box, cuts inside and curls a shot into the far corner. Given the way the game's gone so far, a second goal for the Swedes is hardly surprising.
England 0-2 Sweden
24 minutes
England are jolted into life. They need a quick response and almost get one as Bronze fires a powerful shot from outside the box. Lindahl does well to tip it around the post.
England 0-2 Sweden
27 minutes
Big chance! England finally create something, working the ball nicely into the Sweden box. White links up with Parris, who has time and space on the ball. But she chooses to pass to Beth Mead, standing in an offside position. Her shot is blocked off the line, but wouldn't have counted had it gone in.
GOAL! England 1-2 Sweden (Kirby)
31 minutes
England are back in the game! Scott plays an excellent pass through to Kirby, who races down the right, cuts inside and picks out the far post with a composed, measured finish. The ball bounces in off the woodwork, and England are not out of this one yet.
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