- Sarina Wiegman's workforce manages to disappoint opponents in Gothenburg
- England completed second in Group 3 of League A, barely behind France
- The Lionesses now have a yr to arrange and not using a play-off towards Switzerland.
There was no glamour within the method through which England ensured their qualification for Euro 2025.
Two years in the past, the Lionesses took the home event by storm with very good soccer which led to them changing into European champions for the primary time of their historical past.
In latest instances he has discovered it tough to achieve the extent he has set for himself, however the necessary factor is that subsequent summer season he will probably be in Switzerland to defend his title.
To retain their title they might want to do higher than they did in Gothenburg on Tuesday night. It wasn't a champion efficiency towards a Sweden aspect who needed to win to progress, nevertheless it was sufficient to get the job executed and keep away from undesirable play-off matches later this yr.
Sarina Wiegman's full-time response indicated simply how necessary it is going to be to arrange for subsequent summer season's event. She has a complete yr to rebuild her workforce, somewhat than having to cope with probably tough two-legged ties.
Defending champions England have robotically certified for Euro 2025 in Switzerland
Hannah Hampton scored to assist neutralise the Swedish risk as England secured a much-needed draw
Sarina Wiegman will want extra performances from her workforce at subsequent yr's event
With two of the highest six ranked nations on this planet in the identical group, automated qualification was by no means going to be simple for the Lionesses.
France misplaced 3–1 to the Republic of Eire of their closing match, however nonetheless completed second.
England wanted only a level towards Sweden, who completed third, two factors behind them.
This marketing campaign has proven that Wiegman has some points to type out. England lack resilience and have regarded drained within the second half of each recreation of their group.
Hampton was chosen forward of No. 1 goalkeeper Mary Earps and proved her potential in objective
One in every of Wiegman's important choice dilemmas going into Tuesday's essential match was whether or not to deliver goalkeeper Mary Earps again into the beginning XI or persist with Hannah Hampton, who had began the earlier two video games. Earps missed final month's win over France after struggling a hip harm within the defeat to Les Bleus 4 days earlier. She was match to play towards the Republic of Eire on Friday, however Hampton stored her place and Wiegman opted to maintain the Chelsea shot-stopper in objective right here.
The England supervisor had insisted earlier than kick-off that it was too early to recommend whoever began as goalkeeper could be the No.1 possibility going ahead, however beginning Hampton over Earps was actually a daring transfer and it appears set to price him his place now.
England dominated the primary half however didn’t create any important probabilities. Neither workforce managed a shot heading in the right direction earlier than the half-time whistle, with Sweden's finest likelihood falling to proper again Hanna Lundqvist, whose shot from the sting of the field went over the bar.
The defending champions put up a powerful efficiency within the first half however struggled to include Sweden within the second.
Lucy Bronze's (proper) header was saved by Sweden goalkeeper Zesira Musovic
Sweden will now must undergo a roller-coaster experience of play-off matches to qualify
England wanted a vital cease from Hampton to maintain out Filippa Engeldahl's close-range effort from a set-piece, earlier than Lucy Bronze's header was saved by Zesira Musovic on the different finish.
Wiegman has spoken out a number of instances about her aspect's carelessness all through this marketing campaign they usually have been responsible of getting themselves into bother because the half drew to an in depth. Leah Williamson and Jess Carter each missed probabilities to take possession of the ball, whereas Millie Vivid was always getting in Hampton's manner when the goalkeeper got here on and tried to gather crosses. Hampton dropped the ball on a number of events, although Wiegman was indignant at a perceived lack of safety from the referee.
Hampton was virtually caught out when Engeldahl fired a shot in direction of the highest proper nook of her objective from 30 yards, however she made a one-handed save to maintain England on a clear sheet.
England held on for 4 minutes of added time however, as has been the case all through this marketing campaign, that was all they wanted to safe victory.
