(CNN) A third-place playoff is the toughest of gigs for teams that had had high hopes of reaching a World Cup final.

Not that anybody had told Sweden, who came out of the blocks to take the Women's World Cup bronze medal, after securing a 2-1 win over England at the Stade de Nice on Saturday. It's the third time that Sweden has secured bronze after winning the third-place playoff games in 1991 and 2011.

The bright start from Sweden, who had lost to the Netherlands in Wednesday's semifinal, capitalized on England's sluggish opening as Peter Gerhardsson's team raced into a two-goal lead in the first half.

Sweden got off to a flying start thanks to an early goal from Kosovare Asllani's (right).

Kosovare Asllani pounced on Alex Greenwood's miscued clearance to put Sweden ahead on 11 minutes. England goalkeeper Carly Telford got a hand to Asllani's shot but was unable to keep it out.

The marauding Sofia Jakobsson was outstanding for Sweden and after hitting the post, the Montpellier forward did find the net, curling an exquisite shot past Telford.

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