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
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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:
Sweden 0-0 England
35 mins: Alessia Russo and Linda Sembrant are engaging in a fine battle with the Swedish defender probably getting the better of things at the minute.
She’s sticking close to the forward and not letting Russo have any space to turn and shoot.
Sweden 0-0 England
32 mins: Jess Carter and Lauren Hemp link up with some sharp passes to get Hemp running in behind the Sweden right back. Hemp collects the ball and pulls it back into the penalty area.
She doesn’t find a teammate and Fridolina Rolfo has to run it away.
Sweden 0-0 England
29 mins: Stanway is pushed in the back by Julia Zigotti Olme. The Swedish midfielder isn’t pleased but England have realised that any sort of contact could yield them a set piece.
This free kick is floated forward but doesn’t find Lucy Bronze. Sweden have been very good at dealing with aerial balls.
Sweden 0-0 England
26 mins: Sweden have been defensively well organised. They’re switching fluidly between a back four and back five depending on who has possession for England.
It’s a struggle for the Lionesses to break through them at the minute.
Sweden 0-0 England
23 mins: Free kick to England. Beth Mead delivers into the penalty area once again but Sweden deal with the cross. Stanway and Bronze combine again to recycle the ball but they are shuffled wide on the right side and Stanway runs it out of play.
Sweden 0-0 England
21 mins: Sweden are a strong side but they’ve been dominated so far by England. That said, the Lionesses haven’t benn able to create a good chance to score which could come back to haunt them if the Swedes start to click into gear.
England only need to draw to qualify for Euro 2025. They’ll be happy with the way the game is going.
Sweden 0-0 England
18 mins: Close!
A long ball from England is chased down on the right wing by Georgia Stanway. She looks and whips a quick cross into the penalty area looking for Alessia Russo.
The pass is a good one but Linda Sembrant squeezes ahead of Russo doing just enough to distract the striker as she sticks out a leg to reach the ball.
She misses and Sweden clear.
Sweden 0-0 England
17 mins: Nearly! A direct pass from Stanway seems to get England in behind the Swedish defence. Mead collects the ball then turns it onto Russo.
She eases off a defender and then the whistle goes for offside before she can shoot.
Sweden 0-0 England
15 mins: This set piece is a dainty pass into the penalty area. There’s a bit of a scramble but Sweden manage to work the ball clear. England have had the better opening 15 minutes.
Sweden 0-0 England
13 mins: A high press from Beth Mead sees her nick the ball off Hanna Lundkvist who tries to immediately recover it and fouls the English winger.
England have a free kick that is whipped into the box by Mead. Sweden manage to nod it out as far as Georgia Stanway. The midfielder feeds it over to Lucy Bronze who looks to dart back into the box and gets blocked off.
It’s a soft decision but the referee awards England another free kick.
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