Alessia Russo’s first-half header earned England a 1-1 draw towards Sweden of their opening UEFA Ladies’s Euro 2025 qualifier at Wembley Stadium.
Russo nodded England right into a twenty fourth minute lead after she met Lauren James’ move from the best aspect of the field.
Fridolina Rolfo equalised for Sweden via substitute, Rosa Kafaji’s sixty fourth minute cross after a throw-in was flicked into the latter’s toes, as each groups finally settled for some extent apiece.
The end result meant that England and Sweden sit second and third within the group after France beat Republic of Eire 1-0 to high the group.
Talking to ITV post-match, Russo described the end result as “disappointing” in a “robust” group however felt that the purpose could possibly be vital in the long term, as she commented: “”It’s huge, we all know the group is end result and each end result and each level counts.”
Russo additionally famous that England want to enhance as she continued: “Our requirements are excessive, we all know we are able to demand increased of one another. We are going to personal that however throughout the board there have been decrease requirements that we are able to enhance on.
“They pressed us effectively, it’s not a straightforward sport. We struggled to determine the issues however we did get a draw.”
After each groups endured troublesome UEFA Ladies’s Nations League campaigns final autumn, England and Sweden arrived at Wembley understanding {that a} robust begin to their UEFA Ladies’s Euro 2025 qualifying marketing campaign was crucial in a troublesome group.
Sweden appeared to heed that desperation with essentially the most enthusiasm early on as Stina Blackstenius pressured blocks from Alex Greenwood then Niamh Charles within the opening 4 minutes.
Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson in the meantime introduced the sport to an early pause with a fourth minute foul on Russo, who wanted 5 minutes of therapy earlier than Grace Clinton flicked large on the volley from a knockdown header of the free-kick.
England continued to battle to interrupt down Sweden’s sturdy defence while their very own defence acquired fortunate within the twenty first minute, as Rolfo rifled large throughout aim.
That missed probability proved pricey three minutes later as Hanna Lundkvist intercepted Charles contained in the field, however the ball was quickly labored throughout to James who whipped a brief cross into the field for Russo to nod in to place the European champions in entrance.
Georgia Stanway nearly doubled the Lionesses’ lead within the twenty sixth minute however she as an alternative blasted over from 25 yard following Lauren Hemp’s quick move.
Sweden continued to threaten all through the rest of the primary half with Filippa Angeldahl and Kosovare Asllani in significantly denied by England’s defence, however the hosts protected their lead into half-time.
The second half began evenly till Johanna Rytting Kaneryd fired large in a 53rd minute warning from the Swedes – who misplaced within the semi-finals of 2022 UEFA Ladies’s Euros.
England responded with a constructive spell throughout which Lucy Bronze’s header from a 58th minute nook was saved by Jennifer Falk.
Sweden responded with a double-change within the 62nd minute which paid off two minutes later, after a throw-in fell for Kafaji who duly whipped in a brief cross for Rolfo to nod in on the left publish to revive parity.
That equaliser sparked additional life into the guests as Blackstenius was performed via within the 67th minute, but the Swedish ahead may solely drag her shot large of the underside proper nook a lot to England’s aid.
England nevertheless appeared wasteful all through the rest of the match regardless of gamers like Ella Toone and Beth Mead creating first rate probabilities, which finally went begging after teammates typically didn’t get on the top of their passes.
Hemp noticed two pictures blocked within the 88th minute as England started to push for a late winner however neither crew discovered a winner, though time will inform how essential this draw will likely be for the automated qualification hopes of each groups as solely the highest two groups qualify robotically.
What’s Subsequent?
England head to Eire for his or her second qualifier on Tuesday 9 April at 7:30pm BST in Dublin, with protection proven stay on ITV1 within the UK.
Sweden host France that very same night in Gothenburg at 7pm CEST (6pm UK Time) in one other troublesome contest for the Swedes.
Groups
England: Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze,, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles (Carter 79′), Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Grace Clinton(Toone 57′), Lauren James (Mead 68′), Alessia Russo (Kelly 79′), Lauren Hemp
Substitutes: Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton, Ella Toone, Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Fran Kirby, Rachel Daly, Jess Park, Kayla Rendell, Esme Morgan, Millie Turner
Sweden: Jennifer Falk, Hanna Lundkvist, Linda Sembrant, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson (Nilden 62′), Filippa Angeldahl (Rubensson 75′), Kosovare Asllani (Kafaji 62′), Julia Zigiotti Olme, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Stina Blackstenius (Anvegard 87′), Fridolina Rolfo (Janogy 86′)
Substitutes: Zecira Musovic, Amanda Nilden, Madelen Janogy, Matilda Vinberg, Sofia Jakobsson, Emma Kullberg, Rosa Kafaji, Anna Anvegard, Hanna Bennison, Tove Emblom, Josefine Rybrink, Elin Rubensson
Referee – Ivana Projkovska (North Macedonia)