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 can’t rely on Lauren James alone to survive Euro qualifiers ‘group of death’
The road to England’s Euros defence began where their wait to win a major international tournament had ended, and with an immediate display of why the path to Switzerland is going to be far from straightforward. In the opening game of the European qualifiers at Wembley, the Lionesses were held to a 1-1 draw by Sweden in a result that leaves the European champions on the back foot from the start in their bid to secure one of two automatic spots from this extraordinarily early ‘group of death’.
Sweden gained at least some revenge for their 4-0 hammering in the semi-finals of the Euros two years ago, showing far more resilience and defensive organisation than they managed in the golden summer where England claimed home glory at Wembley. A point was the least that the visitors deserved after Fridolina Rolfo’s back-post header cancelled out Alessia Russo’s first-half opener. They could have won it, too: when Stina Blackstenius was put through on goal but failed to test Mary Earps.
Report from Wembley
England can’t rely on Lauren James alone to survive Euro qualifiers ‘group of death’
England 1-1 Sweden: The Lionesses were held to an opening draw to start their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign
England rue missed opportunities as qualifying campaign begins with a draw
So England are left to rue some sloppy play and missed chances as they can only manage a draw in their opening game of what promises to be a difficult qualifying campaign for Euro 2025.
The home side were lucky to escape going 2-1 down when Blackstenius squandered a good opportunity, but overall the game was sloppy and disjointed in several parts from the hosts. On ITV, Ian Wright called the game “very poor, especially in the midfield area, where we very sloppy”.
“We could have lost that game,” he added.
With France beating the Republic of Ireland in the group’s other game, the Lionesses will travel to Dublin on Tuesday in need of a statement win and three points.
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Sarina Wegmann speaks to ITV
Sarina Wiegman is next to speak to ITV.
She calls it “a tough game against a very tough opponent”, adding that England “struggled a bit” at times, especially with how Sweden pressed.
“We could have done better with our decision making on the ball but we found it hard. They defended really well.
“We were struggling at moments to get the high press but we had to deal with the qualities they showed.
“The goal we conceded was really unnecessary, the throw was unnecessary and we didn’t press the cross enough.
“We were lucky after the goal because we were not able to stop the long ball. We have to do those things better.”
How the group is shaping up
In the other game in England’s qualifying group, the Republic of Ireland slipped to a narrow 1-0 loss to France.
The result means England sit third in their group, level on points with Sweden of course.
The Lionesses travel to Dublin needing a win on Tuesday, while Sweden play France earlier that day.
Alessia Russo speaks to ITV
Alessia Russo is the first in front of the cameras.
She calls Sweden “a top side”, adding that she thinks “it’s disappointing but we’ve come up against a strong side”.
“We’ll reflect and learn and get ready to go again on Tuesday.
“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.
“Every result and every point counts.”
What’s next for each side?
England will now travel to Dublin to take on the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday at 7.30pm.
Sweden face France in another difficult tie, with that home game kicking off at 6pm.
FULL-TIME! England 1-1 Sweden
And that brings an end to England’s opening qualifier for Euro 2025. Sarina Wingman’s side will be disappointed with just one point, though in truth there were lucky that Blackstenius failed to convert a golden opportunity to win it.
Overall plenty to take positives from – they’ll know that a little more accuracy, precision and moments of quality ended up being the difference between the win and the draw.
England 1-1 Sweden
FULL-TIME: England continue pushing as the final whistle approaches, but they’re heading for a draw in their opening qualifying game.
The ref does indeed blow the whistle and it’s a tough 1-1 draw to open their campaign with.
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