Blomqvist met Sofia Jakobsson's cross with a fantastic header in the 66th minute to put the third-ranked Swedes firmly on course to advance as Group G winners, with Rubensson sealing the win with a superbly taken spot kick. They show that year after year," added Blonqvist, saying Sweden were not favourites for the tie. "We have, in my opinion, good self-confidence and we will go in wanting to win that game, but we won't underestimate the USA." They remain without a win in their four World Cup appearances and finished bottom of the group, with South Africa advancing as runners-up after beating Italy 3-2 in the other group game in Wellington. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad, Additional reporting by Philip O'Connor in Stockholm Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

---

Persons: Rebecka Blomqvist, David Rowland HAMILTON, Rebecka Blomqvist's, Elin Rubensson's, Blomqvist, Sofia Jakobsson's, Peter Gerhardsson, Amanda Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson, Olivia Schough's, Gabriela Chavez, Florencia Bonsegundo, Jennifer Falk, Hritika Sharma, Philip O'Connor, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Waikato, REUTERS, Italy, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Argentina, Sweden, Hamilton , New Zealand, David Rowland HAMILTON , New Zealand, United, Melbourne, South Africa, Wellington, Hyderabad, Stockholm