Kosovare Asllani and Madelen Janogy downed a resilient Chile as Sweden claimed a 2-0 win in a Women's World Cup game temporarily halted due to severe weather.
Ranked 30 places below their opponents, World Cup debutant Chile was camped in its own half for much of Tuesday's Group F encounter.
Although the impressive Christiane Endler had to make a wonderful save to deny Linda Sembrant, Sweden failed to make its dominance count before play was halted in the 72nd minute due to stormy conditions in Rennes.
READ : CHILE v SWEDEN: AS IT HAPPENED
The break served Sweden well, however, and it finally found a breakthrough when Asllani lifted a cute finish over Endler, with substitute Janogy drilling in an exceptional second to get their campaign off to a bright start.
Sembrant's powerful header looked set to open the scoring in the 26th minute, but Endler stooped to her left to make a fantastic save on the line.
Endler was beaten when Stina Blackstenius latched onto Fridolina Rolfo's low cross, but Chile's goalkeeper did enough to put off the striker, who sliced over.
READ : Women's World Cup 2019: Results and standings
Sweden carried on where they left off after the interval as Rolfo's crisp strike drew Endler into another fine stop.
With torrential rain swiftly being joined by thunderstorms in the vicinity of Roazhon Park, play was halted with just under 20 minutes to go.
After a 43-minute stoppage, Sweden came out with renewed vigour – Asllani on hand to latch onto a loose ball in the area and prod home with seven minutes remaining.
Francisca Lara scooped over in added time as Chile pressed for an equalizer, but it was Sweden who had the final say when Janogy hammered in a brilliant strike to cap off the win.
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