Womens 2007 World Cup; match 11

Group B, 14/9/07 in Chengdu.

Sweden v. USA

Sweden: H.Lindahl, A.Paulson, S.Segerstrom (T.Lundin 81), H.Marklund, F.Ostberg, T.Sjogran (N.Fischer 65), C.Seger, C.Schelin, L.Forsberg, H.Ljungberg, V.Svensson.

USA: H.Solo, S.Lopez, C.Whitehill, K.Markgraf, C.Rampone, L.Chalupny, C.Lloyd (S.Boxx), L.Osborne, K.Lilly, L.Tarpley (H.O'Reilly 67), A.Wambach.

Both these teams would have been disappointed to only draw their opening fixtures and those results meant this game was huge to the prospects of both nations.

Sweden came forward straight from the kick off and a dangerous ball into the box from the left brought an awkward clearance from Cat Whitehill that only just went wide of her own goal.

Once play settled down, however, it was America who clearly held the upper hand. Of two big, physical teams it was America who looked bigger and stronger and their powerful forwards helped make the most of pretty basic tactics.

Long balls rained forward from deep and Sweden struggled to cope. Whitehill launched a huge free kick towards the goalmouth from miles out and Hedvig Lindahl only just managed to tip the ball over her crossbar.

Sweden looked a more classy side when they did manage to get forward and Charlotta Schelin showed good footwork in one neat attack before feeding Victoria Svensson for a shot that was only just over.

Just after the half hour America benefitted from another long ball and a serious misjudgement by the Swedish keeper.

Lindahl came towards the edge of her box to collect a punt forward but found the ball bouncing over her head and as Lori Chalupny ran through to turn the ball home she was sent crashing by a desperate challenge from Stina Segerstrom.

Abby Wambach rolled home the penalty with Lindahl hurling herself the wrong way.

Just before the hour mark America all but sealed victory with a fine goal which crowned perhaps their best move of the game. Neat passing ferried the ball to Kristine Lilly on the left wing. She spotted Wambach's run into the box and found her with a precise chipped pass.

Wambach took the ball down on her chest and in the same stride smashed a left footed half volley into the roof of the net.

For all the long range efforts that have been flying in so far during the tournament this is probably the best goal I have seen.

Lilly almost benefitted from more indecisive goalkeeping from Lindahl after another big boot into the box before Sweden mounted some late pressure on the American goal.

Svensson swung in a free kick from the left which bypassed all the onrushing forwards and crept wide of the far post. Then Hope Solo was at full stretch underneath her crossbar to punch away a Svensson cross from the right.

To complete her set Svensson then sent in a corner from the left which found Hanna Ljungberg flying in at the far post but her header flashed wide of the post.

Overall, however, Sweden's effort had been timid in comparison with America's and the result was the proper one.

Full Time: Sweden 0 USA 2