Sweden moved as much as high spot in Euro 2022 Group C with a 2-1 win over Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
Switzerland’s preparations for the sport had been hampered by a vomiting bug which compelled eight gamers and 11 assist workers into isolation.
Regardless of these points, Nils Nielsen’s aspect defended successfully towards their opponents’ frontline, solely being undone by a Hanna Bennison late within the second half.
Inside 9 minutes Switzerland thought they’d been awarded a penalty, however following a VAR assessment referee Marta Huerta deemed Magdelena Eriksson’s coming along with Noelle Maritz unworthy of a spot kick.
In a quiet opening interval it took 23 minutes for the primary try at objective – and it fell to Sweden. Nathalie Bjorn stored the ball alive from a set piece, permitting Stina Blackstenius to loop a header straight into the grasp of Gaelle Thalmann.
Simply after the half-hour mark Switzerland had been virtually gifted an opener. Ramona Bachmann seized upon a unfastened go and raced by means of on objective, however she couldn’t make clear contact together with her shot.
In the one different actual motion earlier than the break, Blackstenius noticed a weak declare for a penalty of Sweden’s personal turned down.
The favourites got here out strongly after the interval, with Fridolina Rolfo fizzing a shot simply vast after a couple of minutes and Blackstenius seeing her effort smothered by a decided Thalmann.
The stress ultimately paid off, with Rolfo smashing dwelling after Kosovare had set her free with an incisive by means of ball.
Two minutes later, Switzerland flipped the script and who else would it not be however Bachmann? The Paris Saint-Germain ahead picked up Hedvig Lindahl’s punch and curled dwelling an unstoppable drive to stage issues up.
Sweden stored pushing however had been repelled by disciplined defending. They did virtually seize a second objective when Thalmann spilled a cross, however Blackstenius’ goalbound strike was blocked within the space.
Switzerland then went shut themselves. Coumba Sow arrived on the again publish completely from a nook, solely to see her stooping header blocked.
Switzerland had been made to rue this missed probability not lengthy after when substitute Hanna Bennison produced a wonder-strike to place Sweden forward. The Everton teenager met a Rolfo’s stray go on the sting of the field and unleashed a wondrous first-time effort that gave Thalmann no probability.
Three minutes from time, Sweden thought they’d put the sport past all doubt, just for a VAR assessment to chalk off Rebecka Blomqvist’s strike. Extremely, Blomqvist then noticed one other objective dominated out – however her aspect held on simply to document their first win of the match.
All 4 Group C groups drew their opening recreation, so Sweden could possibly be knocked off high spot if Netherlands beat Portugal effectively later this night – or visa versa.
Listed here are your participant scores…
Hedvig Lindahl (GK) – 5/10 – Made a hash of clearing a cross within the second half with Bachmann punishing her emphatically.
Hanna Glas (RB) – 7/10 – Aggressive within the deal with and added one thing within the ultimate third together with her overlaps.
Amanda Ilestedt (CB) – 7/10 – Timed her tackles completely all recreation.
Nathalie Bjorn (CB) – 7/10 – So composed. Very hardly ever gave the ball away when her aspect performed out from the again.
Magdalena Eriksson (LB) – 5/10 – Rightly noticed a VAR assessment go in her favour, however set Bachmann by means of with a misplaced go.
Flippa Angeldahl (CM) – 5/10 – A bit untidy in her passing at occasions. The primary Swedish participant to be subbed.
Caroline Seger (CM) – 6/10 – Lacked the legs however made up for it together with her glorious studying of the sport.
Kosovare Asllani (CM) – 8/10 – Seemed vibrant all through and arrange Rolfo for the opener. Sweden’s inventive hub for certain.
Lina Hurtig (RF) – 5/10 – The quietest of the Swedish entrance three. It was little shock to see her taken off earlier than her two colleagues.
Stina Blackstenius (ST) – 6/10 – Was an actual handful together with her clever motion and runs in behind.
Fridolina Rolfo (LF) – 8/10 – At all times direct and swung in some respectable crosses. Completed rather well for the objective after which arrange the winner.
SUB: Hanna Bennison (CM) – 8/10 – Got here on and grabbed a wonderful winner. What a second.
SUB: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (RF) – 6/10 – Added power to the ranks.
SUB: Rebecka Blomqvist (ST) – 6/10 – Denied a well-taken objective by the offside flag. She then noticed one other one dominated out. What a day.
Gaelle Thalmann (GK) – 6/10 – Made a number of good stops to maintain the scores stage early on. Fell laborious after amassing a cross within the second half and maybe ought to have gone off. She battled on and was effectively overwhelmed for the winner.
Noelle Maritz (RB) – 5/10 – Tried and failed to purchase a penalty within the first half. Passing might have been higher.
Viola Calligaris (CB) – 6/10 – Assertive defending at occasions. Performed a key function in Switzerland’s disciplined show for probably the most half.
Luana Buhler (CB) – 7/10 – As above actually, although she did look a bit higher when she was distributing from the again.
Eseosa Aigbogun (LB) – 6/10 – Pretty stable however she didn’t seemed composed on the ball, notably when put below any stress.
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (RM) – 6/10 – Used her expertise to attract a few fouls and relieve the stress.
Lia Walti (CM) – 7/10 – Offered Switzerland with some chunk within the center. She stored them ticking in possession too.
Sandy Maendly (CM) – 6/10 – Battled bravely in midfield earlier than she was compelled off with harm. Hopefully it is not a nasty one.
Geraldine Reuteler (LM) – 6/10 – Obtained up and down. Defensively strong with out providing a lot on the ball.
Coumba Sow (AM) – 5/10 – Had rather a lot to do off the ball and remained disciplined. Not rather a lot to report in an attacking sense.
Ramana Bachmann (ST) – 8/10 – Dropped deep to try to get her crew clicking offensively. Took her objective extraordinarily effectively.
SUB: Rachel Rinast (LB) – 6/10
SUB: Nadine Riesen (LM) – 6/10
SUB: Sandrine Mauron (CM) – 6/10
SUB: Fabienne Humm (ST) – N/A
