Women's Nation's League: Wales v Sweden Match Recap
- Ceri Norris
- Feb 26, 2025
- 3 min read
Barton's penalty earned Wales a draw against strong Sweden.
Stök Cae Ras was the stadium which held the UEFA Nations League Match between Wales and Sweden last night. The event was action packed with plenty of opportunities for both sides.
Sweden took an early lead in the 14th minute when Flippa Angeldahl hit the rebounded save of Olivia Clark into the back of the net. 1-0 Sweden. More opportunities were coming Sweden's way, with outstanding Matilda Vinberg causing problems for the Welsh side. It seemed that whenever Wales cleared the ball, it landed at the Swedish players’ feet, leading them to create more chances. A notable chance which almost doubled Sweden's lead came in the 71st minute where Rebecka Blomqvist, after a blistering run down the left, fed the ball to an unmarked Stina Blacksteinus who hit the woodwork.
Wales who are ranked 30th on paper, certainly held strong against a dominating Swedish team. The back 4 of Charlie Escort, Josie Green, Gemma Evans and Ella Powell certainly held strong, with Olivia Clark doing well in her shot stopping duties. Ceri Holland and Carrie Jones were also making their mark down the flanks with Kayleigh Barton in hot pursuit. Wales were rewarded for their hard work in attack in the 74th minute where the ball was deemed to hit the hand of Emma Kullberg in the area leading to a penalty. Kayleigh Barton was the one to take where the ball was thumped into the back of the net. 1-1.
In terms of match possession, it’s safe to say that it’s no surprise that Sweden led the way. Sweden recorded a possession rate of 64.4% to Wales’ 35.6%. However, Wales has been noted to have the most shots- 8 shots to 7 with 2 on target to Sweden’s 1. In defensive stats, Wales had 66 total clearances to Sweden’s 10, showing the attacking force that Sweden has. Both teams picked up a booking last night, Ella Powell for Wales having her name written into the book in the 43rd minute, and Julia Zigotti Olme in the 52nd minute.
Lineups
Wales starting 11 consisted of a 4-2-3-1 formation with the following players involved:
12. O. Clark (GK), 16. C Escort (5. Rhiannon Roberts 46’), 6. J. Green, 3. G. Evans, 19. E. Powell (2. Lily Woodham 68’) 14. Hailey Ladd, 8. Angharad James-Turner ©, 20. C. Jones (11. Hannah Cain 46’), 17. Lois Joel (10. Jess Fishlock 46’), 7. C. Holland, 9. K. Barton (15. Elise Hughes 77’)
Unused Subs- 4. Mayzee Davies, 18. Mared Griffiths, 22. Alice Griffiths, 13. Ellen Jones, 21. Safia Middleton-Patel (GK), 23. Ffion Morgan, 1. Laura O’Sullivan-Jones (GK),
Sweden’s starting 11 consisted of a 4-3-3 formation with the following players:
12. Jennifer Falk (GK), 4. Hanna Lundkvist, 13. Emma Kullberg, 6. Magdalena Eriksson ©, 5. Amanda Nildén (2. Jonna Andersson 77’), 20. Hanna Bennison, 16. F. Angeldahl, 15. J. Zigotti-Olme (9. Kosovare Asllani 63’), 19. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (10. Sofia Jakobsson), 11. S Blackstenius, 8. Matilda Vinberg (23. R. Blomkvist 62’)
Unused Subs- 1. Sofia Hjern (GK), 14. Josefine Rybrink, 17. Evelyn Ijeh, 18. Fridolina Rolfö, 21. Tove Enblom, 22. My Cato, 3. Lima Sembrant, 7. Hannah Wijk
References
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