Sweden 0-0 England
Gamla Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg
Report and photos by Rachel Cohen 16/-7/2-24
On a grey evening in Gothenburg in a stadium decked out in yellow, England and Sweden played out their final European Championship Qualifying Group game. The rain mostly held off, and frustratingly for the travelling the goals did not come but England did just enough.
At the end, Sarina Wiegman raised a triumphant fist into the air. The Lionesses had qualified to defend their Euros title. They did it with a fairly lethargic 0-0 draw crystallised what has gone right and wrong this tournament.
England dominated possession and at times their passing was slick. But chances were hard to come by and shots even fewer. Georgia Stanway produced an excellent cross from the right but Alessia Russo running into the box was just behind the ball. Minutes earlier Beth Mead had run onto a through ball while offside. On 35 minutes Stanway took a shot from distance that Swedish keeper, Zecira Muscovic, easily held. It was, however, a shot. The first of the evening. More often attacks faltered because there were no attacking players ahead of the ball.
And then on forty minutes, with Sweden needing a win to go through, the home team started pushing forward, pegging England back for the final five minutes of the half and getting a couple of half-decent chances: Hannah Lundkvist shooting over and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd getting into a dangerous position.
In the second half England again began on the front foot, without creating a clear-cut chance. But Sweden made a series of attacking changes, using their full quota of substitutes to freshen up, increase the tempo and push for the goal that could see them through. Filippa Angeldahl’s scorching shot from distance was saved by England keeper, Hannah Hampton (perhaps the one surprise selection, getting the nod ahead of Mary Earps). An on-rushing Lucy Bronze then cleared up the spilt ball. At the other end, Bronze got a header on target after a free kick from Mead, but it was straight at Musovic. For Sweden, Rosa Kafaji, a 62nd minute substitute, looked bright and full of running, quickly winning a corner.
Conversely, Chloe Kelly (on for Mead) was Wiegman’s only substitution, until in the 89th minute Niamh Charles and, a couple of minutes later, Fran Kirby were brought on to see out injury time.
There was still time for a few more half-chances: Russo tussling with Lundkvist. Stanway shooting into the side netting. And a couple of awkward moments for Hampton, under pressure in her box and getting clattered (including once by Mllie Bright). England did, however, nullify Sweden’s set-piece threat, and speaking post-match, Bright highlighted how pleased they were to have kept a clean sheet against “tough opposition”.
For her part, England manager, Sarina Wiegman described the second half as a real “battle”. But her main reaction was “relief” at getting the job done.
Perhaps we should have expected a draw after the previous game between these sides ended 1-1. But with France taking one of the two automatic qualifying spots from this group and only one of these two semi-finalists able to go through this evening there had been everything to play for, especially after Ireland (already relegated) unexpectedly beat France 3-1 on the night, meaning there was the opportunity to go through as group winners.
The result means, however, that Sweden will need to navigate the playoffs if they want to find a route to the Euros in Switzerland in the summer of 2025. Meanwhile, England have the luxury of selecting their own friendlies. As Wiegman admitted these qualifying games have clarified the issues that England are yet to solve (most obviously chance creation, “the final third, in attack”). At least now they have eleven months to try and find solutions, before starting their title defence proper.
Teams: ENGLAND (4-3-3): Hampton, Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Carter, Stanway, Toone, Walsh, Mead, Russo, Hemp. Substitutes used: Kelly, Charles, Kirby.
SWEDEN (4-3-3): Muscovic, Lundkvist, Sembrant, Eriksson, Andersson, Angeldahl, Assllani, Olme, Rytting Kaneryd, Janogy, Rolfö. Substitutes used: Ijeh, Kafaji, Bennison, Jakobsson, Björn.
Referee: Maria Caputi
Attendance: 16,789
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