Swedish player Magdalena Eriksson unexpectedly scored a goal six minutes before the final whistle in the match against the Republic of Ireland in Stockholm on Tuesday evening. Somehow, her goal, however unconventionally it played out, was the blow that sent Eileen Gleeson’s Republic of Ireland team reeling. Despite the fact that Ireland had put on a strong display against the Swedes, who were semi-finalists in the World Cup less than twelve months prior, they had nothing to show for it in the end.
The Euro 2025 qualifying campaign has remained a challenging path for Gleeson’s team, with this marking their fourth defeat in as many matches and the sixth consecutive game without scoring a goal. Adding to Gleeson’s list of issues was the impending suspension of team captain Katie McCabe from the forthcoming game against England in Norwich, a consequence of an unnecessary foul on Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in the second half.
Nonetheless, Ireland’s defence was more resilient this time, bolstered primarily by a change in formation. While Sweden made only a single change to their roster, Ireland’s coach made three alterations, bringing in Aoife Mannion, Ruesha Littlejohn, and Leanne Kiernan as replacements for Anna Patten, Jessie Stapleton, and Amber Barrett.
The Irish team’s structure was adjusted to a 4-2-3-1, morphing into a 4-5-1 when they were under pressure. Positioned on either side of Louise Quinn and Caitlin Hayes were full backs Mannion and McCabe, with Littlejohn and Megan Connolly playing behind them. In front, forming a line of three, was Jess Ziu shifting from a more defensive to a more offensive role on the left side, Lily Agg in the centre, Kiernan on the right and Kyra Carusa as the sole striker. Ziu, as tireless as Kiernan, had given Sweden a hard time in the previous match, and it was not long before, in this match, Eriksson was cautioned for tackling her just 21 seconds after kickoff.
Ireland set off on a positive note, even though Sweden presented a major offensive challenge, mainly attributed to the swift movements of Rytting Kaneryd and Fridolina Rolfö on the flanks, along with Kosovare Asllani’s masterful middle-field leadership. Nonetheless, Ireland stood their ground — specifically, Hayes showcased remarkable defence.
A moment of alarm occurred 11 minutes into the game when Asllani rapidly countered Brosnan’s slow removal of a back pass. Meanwhile, from Rytting Kaneryd’s cross from the left wing, Rolfö missed a scoring opportunity. Conversely, Ireland nearly countered when Connolly drove a clearance from a McCabe corner towards the goal, only to be deflected narrowly wide.
Following an impressive save from Rolfö by Brosnan, after the Barcelona player was isolated in the penalty area by Filippa Angeldahl, Ireland successfully maintained equilibrium at half-time for the first occurrence in the current group competition. Anna Patten then stepped in for Louise Quinn in the Irish defence team due to Quinn’s hamstring strain, after obtaining 119 caps.
Peter Gerhardsson, the Swedish coach, had mastered the art of defeating Ireland’s resistance in the previous clash at Aviva stadium and needed to duplicate this effect. Observing his team as they kicked off the second half signaled that he was possibly on the verge of yet another victory.
However, Hayes, who was in top form, denied Madelen Janogy the goal with a desperate block, whereas Brosnan saved Mannion from a risky situation when Mannion’s uncertain handling of an Asllani cross resulted in Rolfö nudging the ball towards the goal.
With Sweden’s right corner goal, despite Brosnan’s inability to fend off the players and clear the ball, Eriksson celebrated as the ball brushed past her back and found its place in the net, Ireland’s maiden group stage point seemed within grasp.
Ireland now has just above five weeks to recuperate ahead of the conclusive group matches against England in Norwich and France in Cork. Mending their spirits following this intense game might require at least an equivalent timeframe.
The match was officiated by Romanian referee Alina Peşu. For Sweden, the starting lineup was Musovic, Lundkvist, Sembrant, Eriksson, Andersson, Angeldahl, Asllani, Zigiotti Olme, Rytting Kaneryd, Janogy, and Rolfö. During the course of the match, Bennison replaced Angeldahl, Jakobsson came in for Asllani and Kafaji was subbed in for Janogy at the 68-minute mark. Hammarlund was brought on for Rytting Kaneryd at 86 minutes.
Representing the Republic of Ireland were Brosnan, Mannion, Hayes, Louise Quinn, McCabe, Connolly, Littlejohn, Kiernan, Agg, Ziu and Carusa. In a tactical change, Patten came on for Louise Quinn at the 41-minute mark, and Stapleton replaced Littlejohn just before the hour. As the game progressed, Barrett and Lucy Quinn were brought on to replace Kiernan and Ziu respectively, in the 79th minute, while Larkin replaced Agg at the 58-minute mark.