Five-star Sweden Crush Italy To Reach Women's World Cup Last 16

Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson described Amanda Ilestedt as a candidate for the Women's World Cup golden boot after the towering defender scored twice with her head in a 5-0 thrashing of Italy on Saturday that booked her country's berth in the last 16. A tight contest was blown open in a seven-minute spell late in the first half when the Swedes, ranked third in the world, found the net three times, through Ilestedt, Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius.

Arsenal centre-back Ilestedt bagged her second soon after the interval to give her three goals for the tournament -- all headers from corners -- including a late match-winner in their opening 2-1 defeat of South Africa.

Substitute Rebecka Blomqvist rounded out the rout in stoppage time in front of nearly 30,000 in Wellington.

The Swedes are assured of finishing in the top two in Group G, becoming the third team to book a place in the knockout stage after Spain and Japan.

It was a flexing of the muscles from one of the tournament favourites, who have a history of near-misses at the World Cup.

Their set-piece prowess was on full show, with three of the goals coming from left-footed inswinging corners delivered by Jonna Andersson.

Gerhardsson admitted corners are an important part of his team's attack.

"Set pieces are very much structure and it's also technique and then it's courage," he said.

"The service is very important and Jonna is very good at this and has been doing it for many years.

"And we hope Amanda will go all the way and win the golden boot."

'Unreal' for Ilestedt

Ilestedt was surprised by her prolific start to the tournament after being named player of the match for a second straight game.

"It feels a bit unreal but I'm very pleased," she said.

"Maybe I