Sweden Heading to the Women's World Cup SemiFinals after Ousting Germany

Linda Sembrant waves Sweden’s national flag after defeating Germany 2-1 to advance to the semifinals at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

The Women’s World Cup has been full of surprises, and with the quarterfinals in full swing, the upsets continue to stun after Sweden defeated Germany 2-1 during their quarterfinal match on Saturday night.

German scored the opening goal after driving forward towards Sweden’s zone when Sara Darbritz passed to an open Lina Magull who, after positioning the ball, fired it into the left bottom corner past goaltender Hedvig Lindahl to put German up 1-0.

However, Sweden was having none of it and fought back hard to get back into the game. The first of their two goals came after Sofia Jakobsson pushed through the defenders to go on a breakaway early in the second half beating Almuth Shultz to tie the match 1-1.

It wasn’t long after Sweden’s first that Stina Blackstenius scored the go-ahead goal. That goal came after Jakobsson sent a high shot into the penalty area from the right side, headed by towards the net but was blocked by Shultz, only to see Stina Blackstenius put the rebound past the goal giving Sweden a 2-1 lead.

The victory in Rennes, France was it’s first against Germany in 24 years at a major tournament, and it will pit the Swedes against the Netherlands in the semifinals. Commenting on the match, Peter Gerhardsson, Sweden’s coach said,

“We’re going to go for it.”

Expectations were high for German going into the tournament, who ranked second, won World titles in 2003 and again in 2007. They were the favourites but instead, are heading home. For coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, the team lost focus. The other teams heading to the semifinals is England and the United States, who will play their match on Tuesday. The winner from each will face off in the finals on the 7th of July.

The match between Sweden and Germany was of the final in the 2003 World Cup when Germany walked away with a 2-0 victory. The last time the two met was during the Olympics in 2016, which also resulted in Germany coming away with the win. Ounters interested in semifinal action can register at  Sports Interaction, a respected online sportsbook offering live betting and lucrative bonuss.

Sweden had not been successful against the German’s since 1995 during group stage play. Speaking on their feeling of having a chance, coach Peter Gerhardsson said,

“We knew we had a chance, and then of course we had to play our best game of the tournament to be able to beat Germany, so I’m not surprised, but I knew we had to play and perform at our best on the offence and the defence. And I think we did.”

Sofia Jakobsson goal was the first the German’s gave up during this year’s World Cup and with it, the end of 381 minutes without a goal. Its record, set in 2007 was 540 minutes. Commenting on the match, at the team comradery, Jakobsson said,

“I’m really happy. I’m so proud of the team, the players in the game, the players sitting on the bench, the staff. We’re doing this together. I’m so grateful to be on a team like this.”

Author Milica is a keen sports enthusiast , she often contributes to betting.ca as well as other sites. Milica enjoys betting on varies events such as sports and others.