England vs Sweden LIVE: Lionesses result and final score from Euro 2025 qualifier at Wembley
England 1-1 Sweden: Fridolina Rolfo’s header cancelled out Alessia Russo’s opening goal as the Lionesses were held at Wembley
England were held to a draw by Sweden in their opening game of the Euro 2025 qualifiers as the Lionesses began the defence of their European crown with a point at Wembley.
Alessia Russo’s opening goal, set up by wonderful play from Lauren James, was cancelled out in the second half by Fridolina Rolfo’s back-post header.
Both sides had chances to win the match, with Stina Blackstenius missing a one-on-one for the visitors before Lauren Hemp had an effort cleared off the line.
It means the Lionesses face an uphill battle to claim one of two automatic qualifying spots for next summer’s Euros. After a change to the qualifying format, the Lionesses will take on France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in Group A3.
England 1-1 Sweden
72 mins: Beth Mead’s first real involvement as the Arsenal winger clips in a diagonal cross. She’s aiming for Hemp at the far post, but it just overruns and goes out of play.
England 1-1 Sweden
70 mins: The stadium announcer confirms an impressive attendance of just over 63,000 as Sweden attack again, but Bronze does well to win a goal kick.
Toone loses it with a wayward pass but Greenwood manages to intercept the Sweden attack. England are struggling to work it up the pitch though.
England 1-1 Sweden
68 mins: England make another change as Beth Mead replaces Lauren James.
England need to do something to win this game. They had a fairly comfortable first half, but they need to find something else in attack here as Sweden continue to threaten.
England 1-1 Sweden
CLOSE! Oh how are England still level!?
A long and hopeful ball is cleared by the Sweden defence and Blackstenius races through. She surges into the box and Wubben-Moy can’t keep up, but the Arsenal striker drags it wide of the far post!
England 1-1 Sweden
66 mins: A very similar goal to England’s there, the only real difference being that Rolfo’s header wasn’t a diving one. You’d argue Sweden deserved that.
GOAL! England 1-1 Sweden
64 mins: The away side are level almost out of nowhere!
A lapse in concentration from England as they allow the throw to roll to Blackstenius. She lays it off to Kafaji, who clips a cross that Rolfo turns in at the back post!
England 1-0 Sweden
62 mins: Right after the subs, the ball breaks to Lauren James on the edge of the box. She tries the left-footed shot from just outside, but it goes over.
Now Beth Mead is warming up.
England 1-0 Sweden
61 mins: Sweden bring on Amanda Nilden and Rosa Kafaji for Andersson and Asllani.
England 1-0 Sweden
59 mins: A mix-up from Greenwood and Sweden have a corner.
The ball is is aimed towards Earps and it bounces out, but Angeldahl’s half-volley is blocked by Lauren Hemp.
England 1-0 Sweden
57 mins: Hemp does well to stand up the defender and deliver a dangerous cross, but James doesn’t gamble and it’s out for a corner.
England win another corner and Lucy Bronze gets a head to it, but it loops straight to Falk.
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