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USWNT, Sweden showdown closes World Cup group stage

DEAUVILLE, France — The United States’ first real challenge of the World Cup has arrived.

Sweden awaits the U.S. women’s national team in the final group stage of the 2019 Women’s World Cup at 3 p.m. ET Thursday at Stade Océane. Fox will broadcast the match. The teams will play for first place in Group F, though both automatically will advance to the round of 16 as the top two contenders in the group with six points each.

The history between the U.S. and Sweden makes the match intriguing. Sweden knocked the U.S. out of the quarterfinals of the 2016 Olympics by hunkering in on defense and forcing a penalty shootout.