It wasn’t the fairytale ending Australia hoped for, but the co-host nation’s 2-0 defeat by Sweden in the third place playoff still secured them their best-ever World Cup finish.
Fridolina Rolfo’s penalty in the 30th minute (awarded by VAR) and captain Kosovare Asllani’s 62nd minute goal secured victory and familiar bronze medals for Sweden — they have previously finished in third place in 1991, 1995, and 2019.
Australia pressed Sweden throughout the game but never came close to closing Sweden’s lead, and Sam Kerr’s brief absence from the field due to injury was no help. 
'We've proven to the world but also within Australia that we are a footballing nation. That's all down to the fans.' 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
Sam Kerr. Aussie hero.
Free to watch 📲 https://t.co/OChUMZEzzW#FIFAWWC #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/bAUsMlSSHw
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 19, 2023
All attention is now on Sunday’s final between England and Spain.