Lionesses held by Sweden in Euro 2025 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.

Alessia Russo nodded in Lauren James’ clever cross in the first half but Sweden equalised through Fridolina Rolfo later on when she crept in behind Barcelona team-mate Lucy Bronze to head in at the back post.

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 and know they need to take advantage at home.

In a repeat of the Euro 2022 semi-final, in which England thrashed Sweden 4-0, this was a much more evenly balanced encounter with Sweden carrying great threat on the counter-attack.

England’s inability to control possession led to several chances, including a huge one for Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius in the second half when she was played in behind the hosts’ defence, only to shoot wide from close range.

Rolfo had earlier dragged a shot wide from another counter-attacking move and the Lionesses created very little – two very late efforts from Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead were their best chances of the match.

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.

They also face France, ranked third in the world, and they travel to Dublin on Tuesday to take on the Republic of Ireland (19:30 BST kick-off).

More to follow.

Line-ups

England

Formation 4-3-3

1Earps2Bronze5Wubben-Moy6Greenwood3Charles8Stanway4Walsh10Clinton11Hemp9Russo7James

1Earps

2Bronze

5Wubben-Moy

6Greenwood

3CharlesSubstituted forCarterat 79′minutes

8Stanway

4Walsh

10ClintonSubstituted forTooneat 57′minutes

11Hemp

9RussoSubstituted forKellyat 79′minutes

7JamesSubstituted forMeadat 68′minutes

Substitutes

12Carter

13Hampton

14Toone

15Williamson

16Kelly

17Mead

18Kirby

19Daly

20Park

21Rendell

22Morgan

23Turner

Sweden

Formation 4-3-3

12Falk4Lundkvist3Sembrant6Eriksson2Andersson16Angeldahl9Asllani15Olme19Rytting Kaneryd11Blackstenius18Rolfö

12Falk

4Lundkvist

3Sembrant

6Eriksson

2AnderssonSubstituted forNildénat 62′minutes

16AngeldahlSubstituted forRubenssonat 75′minutes

9AsllaniSubstituted forKafajiat 62′minutes

15Olme

19Rytting Kaneryd

11BlacksteniusSubstituted forAnvegårdat 87′minutes

18RolföSubstituted forJanogyat 86′minutes

Substitutes

1Musovic

5Nildén

7Janogy

8Vinberg

10Jakobsson

13Kullberg

14Kafaji

17Anvegård

20Bennison

21Enblom

22Rybrink

23Rubensson