Lindahl stopped Kerr – Sweden ready for the Olympic quarterfinals

It was Sweden against Sam Kerr in the second group game in Olympic football in Japan.

Admittedly, the new Barcelona professional Fridolina Rolfö gave Blågult the lead in the first real position of the match, after 20 minutes of play.

But then it was Kerr who was in the spotlight in various ways – at least four times over.

The Australian superstar, club mate with Swedish starting players Magdalena Eriksson and Jonna Andersson in Chelsea, carries the national team known as “The Matildas” – and led by Swedish national team captain Tony Gustavsson – on their shoulders.

She was phenomenal last season in England, winning the shooting league with 21 goals in 22 matches and was also involved in Australia’s two goals in the Olympic premiere against New Zealand (2-1).

– A big part will be to win the match in the match against her, shut her down, said midfielder Magdalena Eriksson to DN before Saturday’s match.

But an effective Kerr could fool his club mate several times.

Sweden had been shocked world champion USA with 3-0 in its Olympic premiere. But the match start against Australia was something completely different than the one against the Americans.

It was poor chance and sometimes sloppy, and when Australia – which also did not have much forward – hit, the Swedish slopes did not keep up.

Kerr was first allowed to nod in 1-1 in a match with Eriksson in the 35th minute. And just before the break, she should probably have had a penalty after a hijacking from Hanna Glas.

In the introduction aIn the second half, it was time again. Kerr nodded in 2-1 to Australia in front of the nose of Magdalena Eriksson, and suddenly Sweden was at a disadvantage in Saitama outside Tokyo.

– I am never satisfied with conceding two goals, says Eriksson.

– But not only Sam but the whole of Australia gave us a really good match.

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Sweden played, however significantly better in the second half than in the first, and a quick equalizer from Juventus striker Lina Hurtig – who started at the expense of Häcken star Stina Blackstenius – made the Swedish World Cup three wake up.

3-2 to Sweden came from just the speed when Fridolina Rolfö scored from a distance.

Then Kerr got his penalty – and missed.

After a clear hand situation on championship debutant Filippa Angeldahl in the penalty area, Australia’s biggest football star stepped forward in the Japanese night.

But Swedish national team goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl has saved penalties in championships before. Now the 38-year-old Kerr read exactly right to the notes of recorded audience sound and stopped the 27-year-old from a hat trick in front of the corona-empty stands.

– It was probably not the best punishment in world history if you are to be honest, Lindahl says with a little laugh.

– But I only got the feeling that she would go a little to the left. So my famous legs got to take it. I think I read her a little.

The rescue and the Swedish 3-2 lead gave Sweden more confidence.

And in the 82nd minute, an incoming Blackstenius was able to nail the final result 4-2 in a goal-rich match.

The goal was Blackstenius’ third in the Olympics, but in the final stages of the match, disturbing scenes came when the 25-year-old was punched hard by Australia’s Alanna Kennedy and forced to limp.

Afterwards, however, the star striker gave up reassuring message.

– It was just about taking the safe before the unsafe, she says.

Now New Zealand is waiting – who will meet the USA later on Saturday – on Tuesday. And with two victories, Sweden has the quarter-final ticket in its pocket.

– I was quite upset in the first half, but then we found another level, says Hedvig Lindahl.

– So in the end we probably get the most plus.

Read more:

Blackstenius gives reassuring message after the nasty pictures: “Took only the safe before the unsafe”

Sam Kerr has switched gears – but things are stopped by club mates

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