Sweden defeats England for third
NICE, France — Kosovare Asllani sent Sweden on its way to a 2-1 victory over England for third place in the Women’s World Cup on Saturday night but the midfielder almost didn’t play in the match.
Asllani was taken off the field on a stretcher during Wednesday’s semifinal loss to the Netherlands following a head injury and was taken to a hospital. And Asllani, 29, revealed that as late as Friday she was told she wouldn’t be able to play in the match.
“Yesterday, I got a ‘no’ about playing from our medical staff,” she said. “But we did the test again today and it was positive. I felt it was going to take a lot for me to miss this game but I really gave it my all and I feel in every percent of my body that I’ve given it all.”
It was a third bronze medal for Sweden, which also finished as the runner-up in 2003.
Asllani gave the Swedes the lead in the 11th minute as they took advantage of early struggles by England. Alex Greenwood had plenty of time to clear Fridolina Rolfo’s cross but sent it straight to Asllani, who drilled it into the bottom right corner. England keeper Carly Telford got a hand on it but couldn’t stop it.
Sweden was up 2-1 when Asllani was substituted out at halftime.
“When I got another hit on my head in the first half I felt like, ‘Nah, it’s time for someone else to get in,’ ” Asllani said. “I’m proud of the team and proud of myself and just everything right now.”
Sofia Jakobsson had doubled Sweden’s lead before England got into the game with Fran Kirby halving the deficit in the 31st minute.