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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GOAL! England 2-2 Sweden (White)
33 minutes
What a turnaround! The ball is fired into Ellen White in the Sweden box, and England's top scorer does brilliantly to chest it down, turn and guide the ball past Lindahl. Two in two for England, and the scores are, remarkably, level.
No Goal! England 1-2 Sweden
35 minutes
England's celebrations were premature. The goal is referred to VAR, and the decision is made that the ball struck White on the arm. She's denied her sixth of the World Cup, and England must find another way to level the scores. The momentum is with them now, though.
England 1-2 Sweden
40 minutes
Sweden, understandably, haven't been able to keep up the intensity with which they started this game. England look far more dangerous, having created almost nothing in the opening 25 minutes.
England 1-2 Sweden
44 minutes
Sweden are ending the half strongly. A free kick is launched into the England box, half cleared, and a long-range shot comes in from Jakobsson. It's a tame effort, hough, and Telford saves easily.
England 1-2 Sweden
45 minutes
There'll be five minutes of added time due to various stoppages throughout the half.
England 1-2 Sweden
45+4 minutes
Some poor defending from Houghton allows Blackstenius to latch onto a long, high ball and attempt to lob Telford, who comes running off her line in anticipation of the danger. Fortunately for England, the ball lands on the roof of the net.
England 1-2 Sweden
45+6 minutes
A big chance to end the half for Ellen White! Parris slips the ball into the path of the forward, who surges into the box and drills a low shot at goal. Lindahl does well to save with a leg and the equaliser continues to evade England.
Half time: That's it for the first half. Sweden were dominant in the early stages, deservedly racing into a 2-0 lead. But England have fought back, halving the deficit through Kirby and coming agonisingly close to equalising, only to see White's goal ruled out after a VAR check. They'll be feeling confident that a second goal will come in the second half, though.
Sweden get us back underway. Can England turn this around in the second half and end the World Cup with another bronze medal?
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