A blow to Italy’s self-confidence, the group can still advance to the last 16 by beating South Africa.
Sweden controlled Italy with a 5-0 win as it reserved its area in the Women’s World Cup knockout phase with a match to spare.
With the win on Saturday, the third-ranked Swedes sign up with title competitors Spain and previous champs Japan in reaching the knockout rounds.
Toolbox protector Amanda Ilestedt scored two times, with Fridolina Rolfo, Stina Blackstenius and Rebecka Blomqvist likewise on the scoresheet.
“I’m amazed– it’s not the very first time I’m amazed by these gamers by the method,” Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson informed press reporters. “It’s instilled in their mindset someplace to simply keep going.”
Italy controlled ownership early on however might not handle the Swedish aerial risk at corners, making it their worst defeat in a World Cup match.
Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic needed to act quickly to conserve forward Sofia Cantore’s shot in the very first minute, followed by another from the Juventus forward in the 17th.
Rolfo got her 2nd objective of the match not too long after with a flick off her knee from close quarters as the Italian defence had a hard time.
The 3rd objective originated from open play in first-half blockage time when Johanna Kaneryd broke down the best flank and crossed the ball to Blackstenius in the nick of time for the striker to complete.
Ilestedt’s 2nd objective in the 50th minute was a carbon copy of the very first, as the Arsenal protector headed another into the internet off a corner from Andersson.
The last Sweden objective came at completion of the match when Blomqvist raced clear of the Italian protectors and buried the ball in the bottom left corner of the web.
“They have a great deal of weapons, a great deal of arrows in their quiver. The very first half-hour we really provided a difficult time,” Italy coach Milena Bertolini informed press reporters.
“Then we expanded and when you’re not compact, when you’re playing a group like Sweden, then you’re confronted with troubles.”
A blow to Italy’s self-confidence, the group can still advance to the last 16 by preventing defeat in their last Group G component versus South Africa on Wednesday.
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Al Jazeera and news companies