Entering the third and final matchday of group stage action, Sweden knew that their fate had already been sealed – and they would be heading through to the round-of-sixteen regardless of the result against Argentina on Wednesday.
Things wouldn’t be quite so simple for Argentina, who would need to beat their Scandinavian opponents and hope that the concurrent match sees Italy held to a draw by South Africa. With the permutations stacked against them, it looks as though this will be the end of the road for the Albiceleste.
Argentina’s campaign began with a slender defeat to Italy, though a spirited second-half comeback against South Africa last time out earned a point, ensured that Germán Portanova’s side would remain in contention ahead of their final fixture.
Sweden have won both of their group fixtures so far, battling to claim a 2-1 win over South Africa in their opening match before cruising to a rather comfortable three points against Italy in a five-goal thriller.
Team news
Argentina will be without the services of Miriam Mayorga, who will be forced to sit out of this encounter after picking up two yellow cards in her opening two matches.
Peter Gerhardsson isn’t expected to make any changes to his starting eleven ahead of this clash – after all, it it’s not broke, why fix it?
Predicted lineups
Argentina: Correa; Braun, Cruz, Cometti, Stabile; Nunez, Falfan, Benitez, Bonsegundo, Banini; Larroquette
Sweden: Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Rubensson; Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; Blackstenius
