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Sweden beat England 2-1 to seal third place at World Cup in France

England forward White was denied by VAR for the second game running

La selección Sueca celebra el gol de Asllani / | sport
Pablo Rivera

The game that no one really wanted to play pitted a great England team against an experienced Sweden side in the third-place playoff game at the World Cup in France. 

England were beaten by the USA to miss out on a place in the final, while the Swedes lost in extra time against the Netherlands. 

England started well but Sweden quickly got into the game and soon led 2-0.  Kosovare Asllani opened the scoring after 11 minutes and Sofia Jakobsson doubled their lead 10 minutes later. 

Phil Neville's Lionesses bounced back and levelled through Fran Kirby before the break but despite all their efforts, they couldn't force an equaliser. 

The impressive right-back Lucy Bronze came close twice and Ellen White had a goal overturned by VAR for the second game running. 

 

In the end, Sweden held on to claim the third place which was England's four years ago. On Sunday, the main event: world champions USA against European champions the Netherlands.