Alessia Russo delivers brutally honest verdict on England's draw vs Sweden

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England began their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Sweden at Wembley Stadium (Image: 2024 AMA Sports Photo Agency)
England began their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Sweden at Wembley Stadium (Image: 2024 AMA Sports Photo Agency)

Alessia Russo said England fell below their usual standards as they slumped to a 1-1 Euro 2025 qualifying draw with Sweden to begin their European title defence.

Russo opened the scoring before the half-hour mark after heading home Lauren James ’ cross. However, England struggled to match Sweden’s verve and tenacity, and the visitors eventually gleaned a deserved leveller through Fridolina Rolfo in the second-half.

Sweden should’ve claimed all three points had Arsenal and Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius not contrived to drag her effort wide when presented with a one-on-one opportunity with England keeper Mary Earps.

“Sweden are a top side and our group is so tough but we’re a good side too. It was disappointing not to take all three points,” the Arsenal striker told ITV after the match.

“To our standards, we can demand higher from each other. Us as players will own that. Across the board there were lower standards.”

Fan fury after just four of Euro 22 winning Lioness squad given New Year honours qhiqquiqetikqprwFan fury after just four of Euro 22 winning Lioness squad given New Year honours

The second-half of England’s performance was especially disappointing, with the reigning European champions suffering lapses in concentration and finesse while Sweden’s high press remained vigilant.

With three of the top six sides in England’s group (England, Sweden and France), the group has been billed by many as “the group of death”.

Even so, England boss Sarina Wiegman echoed Russo’s sentiments that her side were below par. “The goal we conceded was really unnecessary,” she said. “The throw-in we gave away was unnecessary. We didn’t press enough and they had one cross and of course they finished that one.”

Alessia Russo delivers brutally honest verdict on England's draw vs SwedenAlessia Russo speaks after England's 1-1 draw with Sweden (ITV Sport)

Asked whether the goal came to down to a lapse of concentration, Wiegman replied: “I don’t know, I just see what’s happened on the pitch and we were able to press in that moment and cut out the cross and sometimes those things happen but we want to defend that. And afterwards we were lucky because we weren’t able to defend the long ball and so those things we really need to do better.”

Only the top two of England’s group progress automatically to the European championships in Switzerland next summer, while the remaining teams get placed into the play-offs.

And after France’s victory over the Republic of Ireland, the Lionesses must respond well to ensure that they are one of the two teams in the automatic positions.

“It’s massive,” Russo said of Tuesday’s contest against the Republic of Ireland. “We know this group is really tough and every result and point counts. We’ll get rested and then we go again.”

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Megan Feringa

England football team, Wembley Stadium, Alessia Russo, Sarina Wiegman, England women's football team, Women's football

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