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England labour to Sweden draw in Euro 2025 qualifying

:Headline: England labour to Sweden draw in Euro 2025 qualifying:
A below-par England draw 1-1 with Sweden in their opening Euro 2025 qualifier, as Fridolina Rolfo cancels out Alessia Russo's opener.
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A below-par England Women side accepted a point in a 1-1 draw with Sweden Women in their opening Euro 2025 qualifier.

Beginning their quest to defend their 2022 crown, the Lionesses broke the deadlock in League A Group 3 through Alessia Russo but were otherwise unimpressive, and Peter Gerhardsson's earned a merited stalemate through Fridolina Rolfo's second-half effort.

Opting to make just the one change to her first XI from February's 5-1 friendly thrashing of Italy, Sarina Wiegman introduced Lauren James back into the starting lineup at the expense of Chloe Kelly, while the returning Leah Williamson took her place on the bench.

The reigning European champions saw little of the ball in the earliest moments, but Sweden's possession dominance did not translate into any clear-cut openings; a lengthy stoppage for a Russo injury did not help the Scandinavians.

The Arsenal forward was eventually cleared to return to the field, and just four minutes after Rolfo's attempt from a tight angle flashed the wrong side of Mary Earps's far post, Russo broke the deadlock against the run of play.

The ever-dangerous James was unsurprisingly the instigator, working a yard of space inside the Sweden box and sending a delicate ball into the mixer, which Russo met with a close-range diving header to propel England ahead.

Wiegman's side lacked attacking ingenuity otherwise and reverted to holding their lead for the remainder of the first half, although a couple of promising Sweden counter-attacks petered out before the hosts trudged down the tunnel a goal to the good.

The hosts were still bereft of ideas in the final third as the second half began, and while they were not punished for their uninspiring play in the opening period, Sweden finally found the mark with 64 minutes on the clock.

Again, a delivery from the right-hand side of the box did the damage, as Rosa Kafaji's cross was on the money for Rolfo, who headed through the legs of Earps at the back post to draw the visitors level.

The lukewarm Lionesses were almost caught cold again in the 68th minute, as Stina Blackstenius beat Arsenal teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy in a foot race and found herself one-on-one with Earps, but she dragged her shot centimetres wide of the far post.

Sweden kept the hosts at arm's length effectively as the clock ticked down, barring a slight scare in the 88th minute, as Jennifer Falk denied Lauren Hemp before Magdalena Eriksson got in the way of the Manchester City attacker's follow-up.

The Lionesses - who sit third in the group after one match - now have three full days to recuperate before a trip to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland next Tuesday, while second-placed Sweden host France in Gothenburg on the same evening. body check tags ::

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Read more about Sarina Wiegman Lauren James Chloe Kelly Leah Williamson Alessia Russo Fridolina Rolfo Mary Earps Rosa Kafaji Stina Blackstenius Lotte Wubben-Moy Magdalena Eriksson Jennifer Falk Lauren Hemp Peter Gerhardsson Football
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1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
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12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
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15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
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