Goals from Lisa De Vanna and Sofia Jakobsson saw Australia draw 1-1 with Sweden in the FIFA Women's World Cup, as the Matilda's secured qualification for the last 16.
Breathtaking start
Australia dominated the ball in the first few minutes, which led to Lisa De Vanna opening the scoring with some fans still taking their seats. A long ball from defender Laura Alleway exposed Sweden's high defensive line, allowing De Vanna to run through and side-foot the ball into the net.
The lead lasted for little over 10 minutes, with number 10 Sofia Jakobsson levelling the scores. Although not a natural winger, Jakobsson showed great skill and guile to cut inside from the right wing, before hammering a left footed shot into the near post.
Sweden put the pressure on
This went against the run of play, and Sweden almost completed a quick comeback minutes later. Rising higher than anyone else, Amanda Ilstedt directed a powerful header just wide of the left hand post.
The goal and resulting chance galvanised Sweden, who proceeded to take the game to Australia for the rest of the half. A poorly cleared corner found it's way back into the area, and it took a good save from 'keeper Lisa Williams to prevent Jakobsson adding her second, with a toe-poked effort from close range.
Williams was kept busy from then on in, being at full stretch to tip Caroline Seger's long range effort over the crossbar, before showing good hands to smother Therese Sjogran's curling free kick at the back post.
Second half
With USA leading Nigeria 1-0, Sweden came out for the second half knowing that they could need a victory to progress, whilst Australia knew that even a win would still see them come second, so they could settle for a point. This was somewhat mirrored in their approaches, as Australia felt comfortable sitting deep whilst Sweden threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser.
Unfortunately for the neutrals, this led to a stifled second half, with it taking 20 minutes before either side had an attempt on goal. Even then, it was a poor effort, as Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindhal easily held Lotta Schelin's shot.
With just over 15 minutes left, Sweden made their first change as they went in pursuit of a winning goal. It was an attacking one, as midfielder Lina Nilsson was replaced by forward Kosovare Asllani. This was quickly followed by a second, as Elin Rubensson came off for Sara Thunbero.
However, none of these changes took effect as the game fizzled out at a slow pace, ending 1-1 after a late flurry of corners for Sweden, which came to nothing.
Group D table
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| USA | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Australia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Sweden | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Nigeria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
What next?
Australia progress to the last 16 by virtue of finishing second in the group, and will play Brazil in the next round. Sweden must wait nervously for all the group's to finish, to see whether they will go through as one of the best third placed teams.