Points Shared at Wembley as Russo and Rolfo are on the scoresheet.
The points were shared at Wembley as both sides put a marker on the opening game of the European Qualifiers for Switzerland 2025. Alessia Russo put England ahead but Fridolina Rolfo equalised for Sweden and the points were shared as the game ended 1-1.
TEAM NEWS:
Lionesses:
Sarina Weigman made just the one change since the Italy game in the Last international window. Lauren James is in for Chloe Kelly as they move to the bench.
Khiara Keating withdrew from the squad on Thursday, the day prior to the match due to an ongoing knee injury and returned to Manchester City. Southampton’s Kayla Rendell from the U21 got called up to replace her.
Starting 11: Earps, Bronze, Charles (Carter 78’), Walsh ©, Wubben-Moy, Greenwood, James (Mead 68’), Stanway, Russo (Kelly 78’), Clinton (Toone 56’), Hemp.
Unused Subs: Hampton (GK), Williamson, Kirby, Daly, Park, Rendell (GK), Morgan, Turner.
Sweden WNT:
Peter Gerhardsson made eight changes since their last game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jennifer Falk, Linda Sembrant, Magdalena Eriksson, Julia Zigiotti Olme, Kosovare Asllani, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Fridolina Rolfo and Jonna Andersson came into the side with Zecira Musovic, Nathalie Bjorn, Amanda Nilden, Matilda Vinberg, Madelen Janogy, Hanna Bennison, Rose Kafaji and Anna Anvegard all drop out.
Starting 11: Falk, Lundkvist, Sembrant, Eriksson, Andersson (Nilden 61’), Angeldahl (Rubensson 75’), Asllani © (Kafaji 61’), Olme, Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius (Anvegard 86’), Rolfo (Janogy 86’).
Unused Subs: Musovic, Vinberg, Rybrink, Kullberg, Jakobsson, Enblom, Bennison.
THE 90
First Half:
Both teams started off on the right foot but it was Sweden with the opening chance within the first minute. Stina Blackstenius has a shot but it falls into the hands of Mary Earps.
A free kick for England fell after a period off the ball due to an Alessia Russo Injury. The free kick finds the head of Lucy Bronze who then falls to Grace Clinton but her effort goes wide.
Alessia Russo puts England ahead 25 minutes in. Lauren James finds the feet of Alessia Russo and her header from the left side of the goal puts England 1-0 ahead.
Sweden continue to pull in the chances for them as both Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfo both have chances but they both go wide of the goal. Kosovare Asllani has an effort on the right side of the goal but her effort also goes wide.
Half-time Score: England Lionesses 1-0 Sweden WNT
Second Half:
England started the second half as they started the first with Lucy Bronze and Lauren James both having efforts but nothing came from either of them as Bronze header fell into the hands of the goalkeeper and James' effort went over the bar.
Sweden opens the scoring in the second half as Substitute Rose Kafaji finds the head of Fridolina Rolfo and her header finds the bottom left corner and puts them level, 64 minutes in.
Stina Blackstenius nearly put Sweden 2-1 ahead soon after, as she finds space and her shot slides just wide on the right post.
Plenty of chances from both sides continue to dominate throughout the match. England looked to pull the lead back as both Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead had their chances but Jennifer Falk saved them both as Sweden looked for the point.
Full time score: England Lionesses 1-1 Sweden WNT
What’s to come for the sides:
These two sides next face each other on Tuesday 16th July with the kick off time and venue yet to be confirmed.
Lionesses:
For the Lionesses they next travel to Ireland as the Aviva Stadium hosts the next qualifying game. Kick off is at 7.30PM UK time on Tuesday 9th April.
Sweden:
For Sweden, they host France as they look to improve their qualifying campaign. Kick off is on Tuesday 9th April at 8PM Local time.
By Lauren White
Instagram: @lozreportssports
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