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Sweden v England LIVE: Result and reaction as Lionesses qualify for Euro 2025

Sweden 0-0 England: Sarina Wiegman’s side secured their place in next summer’s tournament thanks to a goalless draw

Michael Jones
Tuesday 16 July 2024 20:53 BST
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England not playing for a draw v Sweden - Wiegman

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Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

Editor

England secured their place at Euro 2025 after a nervous end to their final qualifying match away in Sweden.

The Lionesses started the match well after three changes from Sarina Wiegman brought Lucy Bronze, Ella Toone and Millie Bright back into the team. They dominated the ball over the first half, passing with tempo and looking for the opening goal. Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway both had decent efforts but the Lionesses failed to utilise their dominance in front of goal.

As the match progressed Sweden grew in confidence and desperation. The hosts, knowing they needed to win to get through, introduced Rosa Kafaji and Evelyn Ijeh in the second half.

Both substitutes were quick and direct but the restored partnership of Bright and Leah Williamson kept them at bay. The final 10 minutes were a nervous affair but England held out and will defend their title at the Euros next summer.

Relive the action as England take on Sweden in Euro 2025 qualifying:

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Sweden 0-0 England

81 mins: Rytting Kaneryd darts inside from the right anf thinks about shooting before she’s hounded by Keira Walsh. Instead the Swedish forward rolls the ball off to Filippa Angeldal who lifts a cross towards the ball post but can’t pick out Fridolina Rolfo.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:36
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Sweden 0-0 England

78 mins: Sarina Wiegman decides now is the time to introduce Chloe Kelly who will bring more pace and verve to a potential counter attack.

Beth Mead is the player replaced with just over 10 minutes left to play.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:33
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Sweden 0-0 England

75 mins: Angeldal whips a free kick into the box. Hannah Hampton comes for the ball and fumbles it forcing Millie Bright to knock it behind for a corner.

Jonna Andersson’s delivery is swung in towards Leah Williamson who leaps up and nods it safely away.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:29
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Sweden 0-0 England

72 mins: In the other match in Group A3 the Republic of Ireland have taken the lead against France. That means if England manage to win this match and things remain as they are the Lionesses will finish top of the group.

At the minute though, Sweden have wrestled the momentum and are in the ascendancy.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:27
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Sweden 0-0 England

69 mins: It’s been a stop-start second half for both teams. Lots of set pieces, breaks of play. No flow or rhythm to the game. One goal may be enough to win this game.

Rosa Kafaji makes a fantastic run into the box and is fed the ball from Rytting Kaneryd. Williamson scurries over and lunges into a tackle that just misses the forward.

Kafaji stays on her feet and wins a corner but if she’d gone down it would have been a certain penalty.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:25
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Sweden 0-0 England

66 mins: Sweden switch things up first as Kosovare Asllani and Julia Zigotti Olme are taken off with Rosa Kafaji and Hanna Bennison brought on.

England win a corner that gets played short to Lauren Hemp. Hemp whips in a cross that’s tantilising but gets nodded away.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:21
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Sweden 0-0 England

63 mins: Substitutions may be key in this game. England still look sharp but Sweden are starting to look further forward. Angeldal boot a long ball up to Ijeh but Williamson is on hand to marshal the ball out of play.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:18
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Sweden 0-0 England

60 mins: Another 15 minutes safely negotiated by England. A draw will be enough for them to qualify but they’ll want to get themselves ahead to provide a cushion for the remainder of this match.

Sweden showed in the first half they are capable of hurting England. It’ll be interesting to see when they decide to up the tempo of their onw play.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:15
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Sweden 0-0 England

57 mins: Russo carries the ball forward for England before finding Mead on the right. The angle is too tight for her to shoot so she rolls it back to Stanway.

Stanway checks to the right then unleashes a shot and fizzes the ball into the side netting.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:12
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Sweden 0-0 England

54 mins: Nice!

Beth Mead whiops a free kick over to the far side of the penalty area. Lucy Bronze times her run beautifully, she leaps and powers a header towards the near post but Zecira Musovic is on hand to scoop up the ball.

Mike Jones16 July 2024 19:10

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