by Tiffany Weimer
France vs. Sweden
Quarterfinals
In the first quarterfinal match of the day, France and Sweden played a rematch of the third place game of the 2011 World Cup. This time though, France would be on the favorable end of the 2-1 final score line.
An 18th minute corner kick was shouldered home by Nilla Fischer to give the Swedes a promising start.
With a slick surface and the French playing a more direct attack, Sweden didn’t give away many dangerous opportunities in the first half. Sweden even had more of the possession for the first 30 minutes of the game.
In the 29th minute, a corner kick created a scramble in the box and Laura Georges was able to put it in the back of the net for the first French goal of the game and her second of the tournament.
With the scored tied at 1-1, the French started to get numbers forward more and with a free kick outside the box in the 39th minute and questionable goalkeeping from Hedvig Lindahl, Wendie Renard put France up 2-1 going into the half.
The second half saw more play through the midfield for each team as Caroline Seger for Sweden and Louisa Necib for France both got more touches going forward. Once France settled down, they were the more dangerous team.
Playing against the majority of her club team from Lyon, Sweden’s star forward Lotta Schelin wasn’t as impactful as she had been in the past.
In the end, France held on to their 2-1 lead from the first half and booked their ticket to the semifinals and a chance for a medal.
For Sweden, the loss of two starters before the Olympic games even began could have been the difference for them. An inexperienced backline and trouble marking on set pieces hurt them today.
France will face the winner of Brazil and Japan in the semifinals.