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