'We were lucky' - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman notes where England 'need to do better' after flat performance in Sweden draw

The Lionesses were held to a 1-1 draw in the first game of their qualifying campaign for the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro, Alessia Russo's first-half header cancelled out by Fridolina Rolfo's equaliser just past the hour mark.

There was a huge chance for Sweden to go 2-1 up as well, when Stina Blackstenius raced through on goal from a simple long ball forward. However, though she beat Mary Earps, her shot whistled past the post to the relief of most of those inside Wembley Stadium, with Wiegman noting that her team were 'lucky' in the moment.

Speaking to ITV, Wiegman said: "It was a tough game against a very tough opponent, we knew that before the game. We want to have the ball a lot, how they press we struggled a bit. We could have done better with our decision making on the ball but we found it hard. They defended really well. We were struggling at moments to get the high press but we had to deal with the qualities they showed.

"The goal we conceded was really unnecessary, the throw was unnecessary and we didn't press the cross enough. We weren't able to press that ball and take out the cross. Sometimes those things happen. We want to defend that of course. The moment after [for Blackstenius' chance], we were lucky because we weren't good in the long ball, so those things we really need to do better."

England had chances to win the game too, though, with Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead both testing Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk as the hosts finished the match with a real flurry. "We were really pressing and trying to score a goal and we were really close. That's exactly how close this game was I think," Wiegman added.

The Lionesses only have to wait a few days to respond to this disappointing result, set to take on Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday night in their second Euro qualifier.