A Tuesday night stalemate in Gothenburg saw neither side score at Gamla Ullevi in an uneventful clash. Despite a dry result in Sweden, England found glee in the fact that the goalless result saw them claim automatic qualification to EURO 2025.

The Lionesses now begin their defence of their 2022 title, as Sarina Wiegman’s England side now have their tickets booked to Switzerland for the UEFA Women’s European Championship.

Park should be the preference

Jess Park’s Friday night performance against the Republic of Ireland showed handfuls of potential as the Manchester City midfielder executed her creative role with mature conviction. Park was seen breaking down the lines, feeding the forwards, and tracking back to play a defensive role in times of need. So when an all-important clash with Sweden in a battle for automatic qualification to EURO 2025 came about, Sarina Wiegman of course opted to start… Ella Toone?

Toone’s impact proved minimal in the opening stages of the fixture, as England opted to catalyse their attacking motions in the wide areas, rather than the midfield. Georgia Stanway was found having to cover ground across the board, whilst the creative outlet of Jess Park was not replicated in Ella Toone. Toone thrives in a system that sees her loop in and behind the number 9- and despite several seasons spent with Alessia Russo at Manchester United- the pair didn’t seem to work in cohesion.

Rather than entering the occasion with the goal to find victory on the road, Sarina Wiegman’s decision to deploy Ella Toone is indicative of the conservative brand of football that the Lionesses have begun to display in recent occasions.

Williamson back to her best

Leah Williamson was seen back to her very best, as her first-half performance saw her control the tempo at the back whilst delivering her trademark line-breaking football through to the final third.

Any hesitancy was left in the dust, as Williamson took charge of the defensive clearances to deny the Swedes of any first-half entry.

Though second half pressure may have been felt in the final term, as the Lionesses looked nervous whilst battling against a now-pressing Sweden front line.

Sweden lacking an attacking cutting-edge

The absence of Stina Blackstenius was ever-present on the occasion, as Sweden failed to conjure up a convincing attack in the final third. Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd did well to place pressure on Jess Carter up the left side, though when entries were made into the 18-yard box, the calls remain unanswered.

Second-half blunders from Hannah Hampton saw the ball bobble inside of the area on more than one account, though the Swedes couldn’t garner a finishing product to put their opponents away in Gothenburg.

Young substitutions the difference

A second-half substitution saw Rosa Kafaji take the field, as the BK Häcken player provided immediate excitement off the bench for the Swedes. Presenting herself with a keen attacking prowess, her involvement added immediate energy to a tired looking Sweden outfit. The lineup change saw England on the back foot, as the hosts began to gather a controlled momentum on the field of play.

As for the English, unlike Peter Gerhardsson, Sarina Wiegman refused to deploy her bench in any further capacity than the predictable swap of Chloe Kelly for Beth Mead. The firing talents of Jess Park, Grace Clinton, and Aggie Beever-Jones remained on the bench, as the Lionesses looked sluggish and reactive as the clock ran down.