If the group-deciding match against Sweden was supposed to be the USA’s first test in this Women’s World Cup, then the Americans passed with flying red, white and blue.

A goal from midfielder Lindsey Horan put the defending champions on the front foot in just the third minute, and they continued to put pressure on a Swedish team that was supposed to give the Americans trouble. With an extra goal from Tobin Heath, that was later changed to a Swedish own-goal, the USA won 2-0.

With the result, the US women’s national team have topped Group F and will face Spain on Monday in Reims, the site of their record-setting 13-0 tournament opener against Thailand. Sweden, dropping down to second in the group, will face Canada in Paris in the last 16.

“I’m proud the team showed really well and we got some great goals,” said defender Becky Sauerbrunn.

Coming into Thursday’s Group F closer, the narrative was whether the Americans might be better off losing so they could avoid a potential meeting with France in the quarter-final. But the US went full throttle against Sweden, dominating possession and creating constant danger without easing off.

Quick Guide Women's World Cup: Route to the final Show England will face Cameroon in the last 16, with a potential quarter-final against Norway or Australia ahead. Hosts France and defending champions USA are on course to meet in the last eight and are on England's side of the draw. Germany are favourites to reach the final from the bottom half, but are joined by four other sides ranked in the world's top 10 – although Sweden face Canada and Netherlands play Japan in the last 16. Last 16 draw Norway v Australia Nice, 22 Jun

England v Cameroon Valenciennes, 23 Jun

France v Brazil Le Havre, 23 Jun

Spain v USA Reims, 24 Jun Italy v China Montpellier, 25 Jun

Netherlands v Japan Rennes, 25 Jun

Germany v Nigeria Grenoble, 22 Jun

Sweden v Canada Paris, 24 Jun

Both teams made seven changes from their previous matches, but while the US coach, Jill Ellis, was merely reverting back to what has become the first-choice starting lineup, Swedish manager Peter Gerhardsson was resting some of his go-to starters, such as veteran defender Nilla Fischer and forward Lina Hurtig. Julie Ertz was left out for what US Soccer termed a “hip contusion” in a “precautionary” decision but it sure looked like Ellis was resting one of her most important players.

“I’m smiling ear to ear because they had such a great performance with two fantastic goals and everyone that stepped on the pitch was fantastic,” Ertz said after the game.

United States’ defender Kelley O’Hara celebrates after her team’s second goal during Thursday’s match. Photograph: Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images

The result wasn’t crucial either way – both teams were already through to the knockout stage of the tournament – and neither side said they wanted to avoid a particular team, such as hosts France. But Gerhardsson had clearly left out more crucial players than Ellis had chosen to.

“We had a solid game with the players that we had and now we’re looking forward to Monday’s game and having fresh legs,” said Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani.

No matter. The Americans, who have emphasized building confidence and momentum, finished Thursday exactly how they wanted: feeling good and in form. The win may not have exorcised the ghosts of the 2016 Olympics and Sweden’s win there that has haunted the Americans ever since, but at least they can now move on and focus on the rest of the World Cup. There were no new goal celebrations to rile up anti-US fans as with the previous two games – the USA’s dominance will have to do as a talking point.

“We don’t focus on how other teams view us, but I’d hope if teams are watching us play, they see we are a complete team,” said defender Crystal Dunn. “We’re not just a high press team. We’re a possession team, we want to move the ball and go for opportunities to catch teams out of their positions. We love to share the ball, and at the end of the day, the team that is going to win is the team that has so many threats and doesn’t rely on one player. People should know we rotate our players, we have a strong 23, and we’re always fresh and ready to go.”

Horan put the Americans on the board in under three minutes. On a Megan Rapinoe-taken corner kick, a Samantha Mewis backheel at the near post put the ball into position for Horan’s tap-in.

It took Heath just five minutes into the second half to double the USA’s lead. She danced with the ball in front of Swedish defender Jonna Anderson and fired a cross that went off Andersson’s foot and into goal. For the first time in this tournament, the Americans were subject to a lengthy video-assistant referee review, but VAR determined that Carli Lloyd, although in an offside position, wasn’t involved in Heath’s goal.

With an aggregate goal total of 18-0, the US set a record for the most goals scored in the group stage of the World Cup. Now, with the round of 16 approaching, the Americans are another step closer to defending their World Cup title.

