The Matildas unfortunately ran out of steam as they went down 2-0 to Sweden in the third place playoff at Brisbane Stadium.
Tony Gustavsson opted to name an unchanged lineup against Sweden and although they put in a valiant effort against the European side, it was evident they were physically spent.
Foxsports.com.au takes a look at how every player performed in Matildas Player Ratings!
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Mackenzie Arnold – 7
Was called into action within the opening 60 seconds to deny Blackstenius from close range, getting down low to her right to pull off an impressive save.
Arnold also came agonisingly close to keeping Rolfo’s penalty out as she guessed the right way but just couldn’t get a fingertip on the ball.
She also got a hand to Asllani’s goal yet it wasn’t strong enough to keep it out of the net.
Made some key claims off crosses and did well to keep the scoreline down to just two goals as Sweden constantly hit the Aussies on the transition.
Steph Catley – 5.5
The toll of getting up and down the left side seemingly took its toll on the vice-captain.
Catley had a couple of sloppy passes at the beginning that allowed Sweden to pile on the pressure.
However, she made up for those with some vital interventions throughout and did extremely well to put in a sliding challenge late in the game, highlighting her never-say-die attitude.
Clare Polkinghorne – 5
The veteran defender was caught napping at the back on a handful of occasions and her lack of pace proved harmful at times.
However, her physical presence was vital and she won a number of clearing headers.
Substituted off in the 73rd minute for Courtney Nevin.
Clare Hunt – 6.5
Hunt had a costly loss of concentration when she clipped Blackstenius in the box, although some may argue it was a penalty on the softer side of things.
However, the defender was outstanding in several other moments throughout, producing last-ditch tackles or closing down Sweden’s attackers before calmly distributing the ball.
There was little she could do for the last goal as a swarm of yellow shirts came running towards her.
Ellie Carpenter – 6
After a disappointing night against England, Carpenter bounced back and put in an impressive shift against Sweden.
She enjoyed plenty of trademark runs down the right but also did well to hold her run and put her defensive duties first.
It still wasn’t close to what we know Carpenter is capable of, but it was definitely an improved performance from the semi final.
Came off in the 73rd minute for Alex Chidiac.
Katrina Gorry – 5.5
Got into a brief push-and-shove with Sweden skipper Kosovare Asllani which was her main highlight of the first half.
Was perhaps a little guilty of holding onto the ball for too long and diving into tackles needlessly, allowing Swedish players to easily get past her.
But ‘Mini’ still showed plenty of bite in the midfield and led the team with four tackles.
Substituted off in the 60th minute for Emily van Egmond.
Kyra Cooney-Cross – 6.5
The silky midfielder looked the goods once again, bursting past her marker and into space before passing the ball.
But she was once again tasked with covering perhaps too much space and was overran by Sweden on the counter-attack which isn’t exactly her fault.
Overall, it was another gusty display from the 21-year-old who has no doubt earned plenty of admirers overseas.
Mary Fowler – 6
Fowler truly is a joy to watch with the ball at her feet.
Her control of the ball is unlike any other in the Matildas team and it came in clutch on multiple occasions, dribbling her way through yellow shirts in positions when it seemed impossible.
But it also came at a cost, as Sweden would break rapidly after snatching the ball off Fowler.
She was forced to drop deeper and deeper to pick up the ball but it also resulted in her having to make several defensive plays, not an ideal scenario for the Matildas’ attacking midfielder.
Having run absurd amounts in the previous games, it was evident Fowler was knackered towards the end.
Caitlin Foord – 5
The Arsenal forward sadly didn’t look as dominant out on the left as she usually has at this tournament.
Again, Foord would drive at her opposite number in Nathalie Bjorn before looking to cut inside, but those opportunities came few and far between.
Hayley Raso – 6
The ribbon-wearing winger was relentless going up and down the right flank and even the left side too for a brief period in the first half.
Raso also had the Matildas’ best chance in the first half when she brought down a cross from Ellie Carpenter and tried to squeeze it past Zecira Musovic at her near post but was denied.
Substituted off at the hour mark for Cortnee Vine.
Sam Kerr – 5
Kerr zipped around the field and didn’t look like she was hampered by any lingering effects of her calf injury.
Sadly for the Aussie skipper, the rest of her teammates didn’t possess her freshness.
Although Kerr had some solid touches to link up play with her teammates, she struggled to get properly involved and her role slowly diminished the longer the game went on.
Went down midway through the second half clutching at her calf and had to briefly go off, but showed plenty of character to return to the field and see out the game for her nation.
SUBSTITUTES
Cortnee Vine – 5
Came on for Hayley Raso in the 60th minute.
The red-headed speedster entered the contest just before Sweden added their second goal of the game.
Vine had a handful of successful moments getting past the Swedish backline but her role seemed to transform into a wing-back as it appeared the Aussies went to three in defence.
The change in role practically prevented Vine from using her most devastating qualities where she is most dangerous.
Emily van Egmond – 5
Came on for Katrina Gorry in the 60th minute.
Van Egmond was added to provide some extra attacking spark but ended up playing too deep, meaning she was too often tasked with trying to unlock a low Swedish block.
Alex Chidiac – 5
Came on for Ellie Carpenter in the 73rd minute.
Chidiac had a tough role given she came on when the team was 2-0 down.
It never looked like Chidiac had a structured role in the time she was on as the Matildas chased the game.
Courtney Nevin – 5
Came on for Clare Polkinghorne in the 73rd minute.
Nevin was thrown on for her first minutes of the tournament and seemingly played several different roles across the backline.
Didn’t exactly make much of an impact but can take solace that no goals were conceded after she came on.
