Across the European nation’s opening two matches at the prestigious tournament, they’d scored seven goals and conceded once in victories over South Africa (2-1) and Italy (5-0).
This had already secured passage into the knockout stages and all-but sealed top spot in their group before the clash with Germán Portanova’s team – prompting Peter Gerhardsson to rotate his side.
As a result, City’s versatile midfielder started among the substitutes for the first time at the 2023 showpiece.
Chances were few and far between in the opening stages with the first half’s best chance falling to Sweden’s Olivia Schough who ghosted into the box and met Sofia Jakobsson’s pinpoint cross, but couldn’t direct her crisp header on target.
The opening 45 ended goalless but was overshadowed by an unfortunate knee injury to Argentina’s Florencia Bonsegundo who was forced off the field of play.
With Italy and South Africa drawing 1-1 at the 60 minute mark in Group G’s other game, the South American side knew victory would secure passage into the knockout round.
This saw them press forward and create their first clear cut chance at FMG Stadium Waikato when Estefanía Banini drove to the edge of the area but fired a tame effort into the gloves of Jennifer Falk.
Despite Argentina’s need to score, it was Sweden who notched the game’s first goal when Jakobsson’s whipped cross from the right was nodded into the bottom corner by Rebecka Blomqvist.
And Portanova’s team’s diminishing hopes of qualifying for the next stage of the competition ended when Elin Rubensson drilled home from the penalty spot after Blomqvist was fouled in the penalty area.
Sweden will next face USA in the last-16 on Sunday 6 August at 10:00 (UK).
