Lionesses Draw with Sweden in 2025 Euro Qualifier
England’s defence of their European title got off to a disappointing start at Wembley Stadium as they were held to a draw by Sweden in their first Euro 2025 qualifier. The match ended with a scoreline of 1-1, leaving both teams with a point.
Unconvincing Performance from England
It was an unconvincing performance from Sarina Wiegman’s side, who have been drawn in a tough qualifying group with two of the world’s top six teams. England knew they needed to take advantage of playing at home, but they failed to control possession and create many scoring opportunities.
Sweden’s Equalizer
Alessia Russo gave England the lead in the first half, nodding in a clever cross from Lauren James. However, Sweden equalized through Fridolina Rolfo later on. Rolfo managed to creep in behind Lucy Bronze and head the ball into the back of the net. It was a lapse in concentration from Bronze that proved costly for England.
A More Balanced Encounter
This match was a much more evenly balanced encounter compared to the Euro 2022 semi-final, in which England thrashed Sweden 4-0. Sweden carried great threat on the counter-attack and created several chances throughout the game. England’s inability to control possession led to opportunities for Sweden to exploit their defense.
Difficult Qualification Route
England’s qualification route is not easy. Only the top two teams from their group qualify automatically for next summer’s Euros in Switzerland, with the other two sides entering the play-offs. In addition to Sweden, England also faces France, ranked third in the world, in their qualifying group.
Disappointing Atmosphere at Wembley
The atmosphere at Wembley Stadium was deflated as fans left feeling disappointed by England’s underwhelming start to their qualifying campaign. The stadium announcer had welcomed England as the “European champions here to defend their title” with great enthusiasm, but the match did not live up to the expectations.
Looking Ahead
England’s next match is against the Republic of Ireland, and they will be looking to bounce back from this draw. They will need to improve their performance and find a way to control possession and create more scoring opportunities. The Lionesses face a tough challenge in their quest to qualify for the Euros, but they have the talent and experience to overcome it.