England vs Sweden prediction: How will Women's World Cup third-place play-off play out?

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.

England vs Sweden live key points

• England lose to Sweden in Women's World Cup third place play-off
• Asllani and Jakobsson score to give Sweden 2-0 lead
• Fran Kirby curls home to halve deficit
• Ellen White equaliser ruled out for offside by VAR

Show latest update

2019-07-06T14:08:12.813Z

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of England vs Sweden in the Women's World Cup third place play-off.

Steph Houghton had an 84th-minute penalty saved as the Lionesses missed out on a place in the final, with the USA triumphing in an emotionally-charged semi-final on Tuesday.

Sweden themselves were on the wrong end of a heartbreaking result with Jackie Groenen's extra-time goal seeing the Netherlands emerge victorious from the second semi-final. 

Both teams will be desperate to end their tournaments on a high with a bronze medal up for grabs today.

We'll have all the latest updates for you from Nice.

 

• Ben Burrows
• 6 July 2019 15:08

2019-07-06T14:13:55.916Z

Team News

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 15:13

2019-07-06T14:28:52.516Z

After more semi-final heartbreak for England, this afternoon's third-place playoff is an opportunity to end a largely successful tournament on a high note. Victory over Sweden in Nice would, at least, take some of the edge off last week's narrow defeat against the USA.

 

England and Sweden have never met at a World Cup, so this promises to be an interesting encounter. Both teams have caught the eye throughout the tournament, and neither will be taking this match lightly.

 

There is still the matter, too, of the golden boot for England's Ellen White. She's on five goals, one behind Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe.

 

 

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 15:28

2019-07-06T14:38:01.113Z

Changes

 

Phil Neville makes four changes, then, to the side that lost in the semi-final. Abbie McManus steps into defence in place of the suspended Millie Bright. Jade Moore and Fran Kirby are handed starts in midfield, too.

 

Sweden have also made a couple of changes: Fridolina Rolfo and Fridolina Rolfo come into the side, while top-scorer Kosovare Asllani is fit to start

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 15:38

2019-07-06T14:43:13.016Z

England boss Phil Neville has made his feelings clear ahead of this afternoon's game. The drive to win, he says, remains strong in this team despite defeat to the USA:

We want to go away with something to show for the hard work. I want to be on my sun lounger next week, happy that we've finished a tournament well and not finish on two defeats.

We've had a lot of people telling us about inspiring. But I think the real inspiration is winning gold.

We'll continue to strive for that. We've been soul searching about what it takes to win. The players have realised we need to kick on.

We're all sick of losing in semi-finals, we're all sick of people applauding us for finishing third or fourth. That's not being disrespectful; that's the truth and it hurts."

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 15:43

2019-07-06T14:52:12.913Z

This will be Karen Carney's 144th and final cap in an England shirt. Her teammates will, no doubt, be hoping to give her a fitting send off.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 15:52

2019-07-06T14:55:22.410Z

It's another scorcher in southern France today. The temperature is at 28C, but it's expected to feel more like 38C on the pitch. Fitness could again play a big part in the outcome of the game.

 

 

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 15:55

2019-07-06T14:59:50.083Z

Both teams have sung their respective national anthems for the last time at this tournament and we're almost ready to get underway!

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 15:59

KICK OFF

2019-07-06T15:02:34.670Z

England, all in white, kick off and immediately surge forward. There's already a feeling that this could be an open and exciting encounter.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:02

2019-07-06T15:05:26.770Z

England 0-0 Sweden

 

3 minutes

 

Sweden create the first real opening of the game, Jakobsson played in behind down the right and seeing her drilled cross deflected over the bar for a corner. The set piece is dealt with comfortably and England break quickly, but Kirby's drilled ball into the box is held by Sweden goalkeeper Lindahl.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:05

2019-07-06T15:09:24.080Z

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.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:09

2019-07-06T15:12:36.200Z

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.

 

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:12

GOAL!

2019-07-06T15:13:07.220Z

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.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:21

2019-07-06T15:16:40.656Z

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.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:16

2019-07-06T15:18:47.273Z

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.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:18

2019-07-06T15:23:07.930Z

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.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:23

GOAL!

2019-07-06T15:23:35.133Z

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.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:24

2019-07-06T15:26:13.186Z

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.

 

 

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:26

2019-07-06T15:30:01.356Z

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.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:30

GOAL!

2019-07-06T15:32:37.163Z

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.

• Callum Rice-Coates
• 6 July 2019 16:34

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