Alessia Russo’s first-half header earned England a 1-1 draw against Sweden in their opening UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier at Wembley Stadium.
Russo nodded England into a 24th minute lead after she met Lauren James’ pass from the right side of the box.
Fridolina Rolfo equalised for Sweden through substitute, Rosa Kafaji’s 64th minute cross after a throw-in was flicked into the latter’s feet, as both teams ultimately settled for a point apiece.
The result meant that England and Sweden sit second and third in the group after France beat Republic of Ireland 1-0 to top the group.
Speaking to ITV post-match, Russo described the result as “disappointing” in a “tough” group but felt that the point could be significant in the long run, as she commented: “”It’s massive, we know the group is result and every result and every point counts.”
Russo also noted that England need to improve as she continued: “Our standards are high, we know we can demand higher of each other. We will own that but across the board there were lower standards that we can improve on.
“They pressed us well, it’s not an easy game. We struggled to figure out the problems but we did get a draw.”
After both teams endured difficult UEFA Women’s Nations League campaigns last autumn, England and Sweden arrived at Wembley knowing that a strong start to their UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying campaign was imperative in a difficult group.
Sweden seemed to heed that desperation with the most enthusiasm early on as Stina Blackstenius forced blocks from Alex Greenwood then Niamh Charles in the opening four minutes.
Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson meanwhile brought the game to an early pause with a fourth minute foul on Russo, who needed five minutes of treatment before Grace Clinton flicked wide on the volley from a knockdown header of the free-kick.
England continued to struggle to break down Sweden’s robust defence whilst their own defence got lucky in the 21st minute, as Rolfo rifled wide across goal.
That missed chance proved costly three minutes later as Hanna Lundkvist intercepted Charles inside the box, but the ball was soon worked across to James who whipped a short cross into the box for Russo to nod in to put the European champions in front.
Georgia Stanway almost doubled the Lionesses’ lead in the 26th minute but she instead blasted over from 25 yard following Lauren Hemp’s short pass.
Sweden continued to threaten throughout the remainder of the first half with Filippa Angeldahl and Kosovare Asllani in particularly denied by England’s defence, but the hosts protected their lead into half-time.
The second half started evenly until Johanna Rytting Kaneryd fired wide in a 53rd minute warning from the Swedes – who lost in the semi-finals of 2022 UEFA Women’s Euros.
England responded with a positive spell during which Lucy Bronze’s header from a 58th minute corner was saved by Jennifer Falk.
Sweden responded with a double-change in the 62nd minute which paid off two minutes later, after a throw-in fell for Kafaji who duly whipped in a short cross for Rolfo to nod in at the left post to restore parity.
That equaliser sparked further life into the visitors as Blackstenius was played through in the 67th minute, yet the Swedish forward could only drag her shot wide of the bottom right corner much to England’s relief.
England however looked wasteful throughout the remainder of the match despite players like Ella Toone and Beth Mead creating decent chances, which ultimately went begging after teammates often failed to get on the end of their passes.
Hemp saw two shots blocked in the 88th minute as England began to push for a late winner but neither team found a winner, although time will tell how critical this draw will be for the automatic qualification hopes of both teams as only the top two teams qualify automatically.
What’s Next?
England head to Ireland for their second qualifier on Tuesday 9 April at 7:30pm BST in Dublin, with coverage shown live on ITV1 in the UK.
Sweden host France that same evening in Gothenburg at 7pm CEST (6pm UK Time) in another difficult contest for the Swedes.
Teams
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)
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