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THE Lionesses will defend their European crown in Switzerland next year after securing automatic qualification following a nervous draw with Sweden.
Only the top two teams from their qualification group booked their spot at Euro 2025, while the other two nations dropped into the play-offs.
England started well, controlling possession and building pressure, but rarely tested goalkeeper Zecira Musovic in a quiet first half.
Alessia Russo was inches away from connecting with Georgia Stanway’s dangerous cross before the Bayern Munich midfielder struck wide.
Sweden, who were organised defensively, had their first shot on the stroke of half-time but Hanna Lundkvist fired over, before Johanna Rytting Kaneryd poked an effort into the side-netting.
It was not until the second half that they began to show more of an attacking threat, knowing only victory would be enough for automatic qualification.
Meanwhile, Sarina Wiegman’s England side knew they only needed a point but they needlessly welcomed pressure, making for a frantic ending in Gothenburg.
Sweden pushed hard for a winner, piling pressure on goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – selected ahead of Mary Earps – and the Chelsea stopper made some errors.
Hampton fumbled a few crosses meaning England’s defence was scrambling to clear the ball under pressure, while a midfield that had performed strongly in the first half lacked energy as the match wore on.
In the end, it was a huge relief to hear the full-time whistle go at Gamla Ullevi Stadium as England scraped through qualification in an automatic spot, finishing second in League A3, while third-placed Sweden must navigate two rounds of play-offs.
“I’m relieved and to be honest happy because we wanted to qualify from these group stages and prevent going to the play-offs. Now we can prepare for the Euros,” said Wiegman afterwards.
Nervy England through but not convincingly
Despite being drawn in a tough group with two other nations from the world’s top six, England were expected to reach Euro 2025 unscathed.
But they have not made easy work of their qualification campaign and this was another anxious evening in Sweden.
Wiegman was often animated on the touchline, showing her frustration more than usual as errors crept in throughout the second half and England did not cope well under pressure.
Swedish supporters in the stadium were vociferous, banging drums and chanting as they sensed their side were becoming more dangerous.
England held on and got the job done but Hampton was tested by ex-Manchester City midfielder Filippa Angeldahl’s powerful long-range strike and did not look comfortable on set-pieces.
There is competition for England’s number one spot, with Hampton getting the nod over regular Mary Earps.
Asked about Earps’ response, Wiegman said: “She was very professional. The competition is on, it’s really on. They are both incredible, talented goalkeepers we are really happy with – and the others too.
“There is three months until our next window. They are going back to their clubs, of course with Mary going to France [after signing for Paris St-Germain].
“We will see how that goes first and see when they come back in October.”
It was another display which confirmed England’s defence of their title in Switzerland will be far from easy and they must improve before travelling there next year.
The result is a bitter blow to Sweden, who also drew with England at Wembley in April, but they will now have to navigate a complicated play-off system with two rounds of two-legged ties.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are also in the play-offs with the draw taking place at 12:00 BST on Friday.
England can focus fully on preparations for Switzerland. They will find out their group-stage opponents in the draw on Monday, 16 December at 17:00 BST.
However, celebrations were subdued at full-time in Sweden as they know they were fortunate not to have conceded late on and it was far from routine.
BBCSport
A.I
July 17, 2024 @ 06:20 GMT|
Tags: Alessia Russo Zecira Musovic
