England Girls picked up the purpose they wanted to safe Euro 2025 qualification however had been once more discovered wanting in entrance of purpose in a 0-0 stalemate in Sweden.
The Lionesses may solely pressure Zecira Musovic into two saves all evening in Gothenburg and failed to attain for the primary time in virtually a 12 months, after Sarina Wiegman had mentioned they “should have scored more” of their earlier sport with Eire.
Once more she mentioned England weren’t scientific sufficient as they did not make their first-half dominance depend and provides themselves a extra serene path to the finals.
“You can always say we weren’t ruthless enough, we had one huge chance in the first half then we have to have the numbers [in the middle],” Wiegman advised ITV Sport.
“We had some moments we may have shot however handed, and I believe within the first half we had some nice alternatives from free-kicks.
“They defended well, but we could’ve done more to make the chances better.”
England had been left in a Catch-22 state of affairs with France’s shock defeat to Eire that means any victory would have seen them prime the group, and earn a precious seeding for the Euro 2025 finals subsequent summer season.
However having began so brightly, they had been left to carry onto a draw following the second-half affect of Hanna Bennison and Rosa Kafaji from the Sweden bench, with the latter unfortunate to not win a penalty following a rash problem from Leah Williamson.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd additionally examined new England No 1 Hannah Hampton with a long-range effort late on which the Chelsea goalkeeper was at full stretch to maintain out.
England’s finest alternatives got here via a Lucy Bronze header from a free-kick which she telegraphed straight at Musovic, whereas Georgia Stanway twice went near notching her twentieth England purpose however simply missed with an effort from the angle and a 20-yard drive.
The Lionesses should wait till December to find their destiny for the Euro 2025 group phases, as they appear to defend their title in Switzerland subsequent summer season.
Williamson: We do not make it straightforward once we do not rating
England captain Leah Williamson chatting with ITV Sport: “We don’t make it easy for ourselves when we don’t score. But we’ve seen out a game, same as France.
“These are robust fixtures, particularly coming to locations like this, it is small however the Swedish followers had been loud they usually performed very well. It is a good draw.
“They changed tactics, have different threats including height but I think we stood firm and stayed true.
“We could not play the soccer we needed within the second half, which put us beneath lots of stress.
“I think first half, I really enjoyed playing in. I felt good, it’s the end of the season, I haven’t played as much as all of them so if I didn’t look fresh I’d be concerned.
“There’s much more to come back, we have taken care of enterprise and we are able to put together now to get probably the most out of ourselves.
“We all know how that went, and I think everybody wants more.”
Key Euro 2025 dates
Play-off draw: July 19
Play-off spherical one (two legs): October 23-29
Play-off spherical two (two legs): November 27-December 3
Euro 2025 finals draw: December 16
Euro 2025 finals: July 2-27 2025 – Switzerland
