- By Emma Sanders
- BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium
Image supply, Getty Images
England beat Sweden 4-0 in the semi-finals at Euro 2022 on house soil
England must “demand higher” from one another, striker Alessia Russo has mentioned after an underwhelming begin to their Euro 2025 qualifying marketing campaign.
Sarina Wiegman’s defending European champions took the lead at Wembley Stadium on Friday due to Russo’s header however had been removed from their flowing greatest, gifting away possession too simply and looking out weak to Sweden’s counter-attacking menace.
They switched off in the second half, permitting Sweden again into the sport when Fridolina Rolfo nodded in on the again submit to make it 1-1.
Drawn in a troublesome group with Sweden, France and the Republic of Ireland, who England face subsequent in Dublin on Tuesday, this felt like a missed alternative to capitalise in entrance of a house crowd.
Russo, who was considered one of England’s brightest gamers earlier than being substituted in the second half, admitted to frustrations with the efficiency.
“Sweden are a top side, our group is tough. We’re a good side too so I think it’s disappointing but we’ve come up against a strong side,” she informed ITV.
“Our requirements are excessive, we all know we are able to demand larger of one another. We will personal that, however throughout the board, there have been decrease requirements that we are able to enhance on.
“We struggled to determine the issues however we did get a draw. Every outcome and each level counts.”
It was a considerably flat ambiance at Wembley after a giant build-up earlier than kick-off with followers throwing paper aeroplanes in the second half, earlier than getting out their cellphone digital camera lights as England’s efficiency dipped.
Sweden, ranked sixth in the world, know what the Lionesses are able to having fallen to a heavy semi-final defeat at Euro 2022 on the best way to Sarina Wiegman’s aspect lifting the trophy.
But as Wiegman mentioned, this was a much more even encounter.
“This group is de facto robust. Of course I’m disillusioned – as a result of we all the time need to win,” she mentioned.
“At the tip of the sport, for those who watch it again, we had been very near scoring a aim. Overall it was a fairly equal recreation. We had extra possession of the ball however you may see additionally how harmful their counter-attacks had been. I believe the draw displays how the sport was.”
England may even face France, ranked third in the world, in qualifying. Only the highest two groups from their group qualify mechanically for subsequent summer season’s Euros in Switzerland, with the opposite two sides coming into the play-offs.
And former England midfielder Karen Carney mentioned the Lionesses wanted to enhance their focus for the remaining fixtures, including that Sweden had been the higher group in the second half.
“If England had been switched on, Sweden’s aim does not occur. Lucy Bronze wasn’t paying consideration on the again submit,” she added.
“Sweden had been the higher group in the second half. Tuesday’s recreation in opposition to the Republic of Ireland is a must-win. This is the group of loss of life and it’s actually, actually tough.
“We are European champions and we need three points. It is a massive game and the performance needs to improve but we need three points.”
Former England worldwide Ian Wright added: “England gave Sweden the impetus. We were very poor tonight, especially in the midfield area, where we were very sloppy. We are fortunate to not lose that game.”