England qualify for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 with draw in Sweden

England have qualified for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 after battling out a goalless draw against Sweden in Gothenburg this evening.

The Lionesses went into the match knowing that any positive result would seal automatic qualification for the tournament finals. England were able to hold their nerve to prevent Sweden from leapfrogging them in their final group fixture.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman insisted that her side would go out to win and the Lionesses enjoyed more of the attacking play in the first half. Jonna Andersson’s clearance cannoned off Georgia Stanway before the ball bounced off the bar midway through the half. Stanway went close again 14 minutes later when she shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Sweden struggled to carve out chances in the opening 45 minutes. Hanna Lundkvist registered their only shot on goal but her long range effort sailed over the bar.

The hosts tested England keeper Hannah Hampton early in the second half. Filippa Angeldahl took aim but Hampton was able to push the ball to safety.

At the other end, Lucy Bronze’s downward header was saved by Zećira Mušović before Stanway fired narrowly wide of the near post.

Sweden were the side that needed a goal and they naturally threw everything at England in the final half-hour. Hampton survived a couple of heart-in-mouth moments when coming to challenge for the ball while the Lionesses threw bodies behind a number of Swedish shots.

The hosts’ best chance came seven minutes from time when Angeldahl took aim from distance but Hampton was able to scramble into a position to save the shot.

At times, it was frantic but England held out for a goalless draw which confirms their place at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.

The Lionesses will learn of their UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 group opponents when the draw is conducted on Monday 16 December 2024.