by Sweden gave Sarina Wiegman’s team plenty to think about and, despite a lack of possession and only one shot on target – Fridolina Rolfö’s 64th minute equalizer – stretched the European champions’ defense all the way. It’s a performance that will have caused some consternation in the England camp at how easily Sweden were able to break through as their Euro 2025 qualification campaign got off to a stuttering start.
Wiegman and her assistant Arjan Veurink will have a lot to think about over the next few days fully aware that the Lionesses need to improve defensively. They have arguably been drawn in the toughest qualification group and cannot afford to give up or lose momentum in games like they did this time if they are to progress directly to this summer’s competition next.
Related: Fridolina Rolfö draws for Sweden against England after Russo’s opener
Where they lacked especially under the Wembley lights was pace at the back and this was evident in the speed of Sweden’s attack. Wings Rolfö and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd were given acres of space to get into and Stina Blackstenius ran straight for England. They could have been made to pay later in the game, but the forward spurred the opportunity to send the visitors home with three points when Mary Earps was one on one.
It will be a source of concern for fans watching and will increase the calls for Leah Williamson to return. The England captain is back in the Lionesses camp for the first time since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and was named on the bench for the first time in 362 days. Her leadership and composure during those stressful periods was a hallmark of her success at Euro 2022, something England sometimes lacked in her absence.
Wiegman, however, will have a hard time deciding how to dismantle his backline. The unusual thing about this performance is that neither center back Lotte Wubben-Moy and Alex Greenwood had a bad game. In fact, they dealt with Sweden’s front line ably – strong in their duels; reading the danger; and able to release forward pressure. Greenwood’s passing ability was a key element when England were able to push up the field.
In midfield England were lacking the most, with careless performances from Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway. There was little structure in midfield as they were out of possession from both, which allowed England to stretch on the counter. Filippa Angeldal broke the lines through the middle avoiding them as the wings were not afraid to invert and work more centrally at times. It allowed Sweden to bypass the defensive cover and left the center back pair particularly exposed. This, along with carelessness in possession, meant that the visitors were able to turn the ball over as the Lionesses pushed up the field.
The goal they conceded will cause particular frustration. With Greenwood occupied by Blackstenius, substitute Rosa Kafaji was allowed space to cross to the far post. Bronze Lucy was found in no man’s land with Rolfö lurking, allowing her a free header.
The bright spark of England’s night, however, was Alessia Russo’s performance. The 25-year-old initially struggled to emerge from Ellen White’s shadow. With each game, however, Russo looks more and more comfortable with the responsibility of leading the line.
Russo has fond memories of scoring against Sweden – “the Russo”, his famous goal against Peter Gerhardsson’s side in the Euro 2022 semi-final at Bramall Lane. It was a goal that inspired her that night and she has a prolific England shirt. She scored three goals at the World Cup last summer as she teamed up with Lauren Hemp as a front two.
This time, she was ahead by three but looked equally comfortable in her surroundings. An early hero did little to dampen her energy and she scored England’s only goal with a clinical header from a Lauren James cross. It was her third goal in three games for her country this year and she is clearly Wiegman’s choice, with Rachel Daly left as a substitute.
What sets Arsenal apart from the alternatives is not only their ability to finish in a variety of ways but the effectiveness of their holding play. Her ability on the ball allows England to have a focal point, one they know has the technical ability to drop deep, hold possession and feed the other attacking players with precision.
It is through her creativity that England will be looking to add to the upcoming qualifiers. The Republic of Ireland’s next historic game at the Aviva Stadium is on Tuesday and Wiegman will know that improvement will be key to breaking down opposition who have proved they are not to be taken for granted.
