Sweden strike late to break Irish hearts in Stockholm

The Republic of Ireland endured a painful 1-0 loss to Sweden at the Friends Arena near Stockholm on Tuesday evening, as a late Magdalena Eriksson goal denied them a first point in Euro 2025 qualification.

Eileeen Gleeson's side had been foot perfect for most of the contest, frustrating a team ranked sixth in the world with performance full of grit and discipline. But they just couldn't hold on.

With six minutes to go, Eriksson forced home an inswinging corner with her back to finally shatter the Irish resistance and keep Sweden on track to earn automatic qualification for the Euros by finishing in the top two.

Ireland remain pointless in Group A3 of League A and have yet to score a goal. Life among the elite is proving unforgivingly difficult. They next face England in Notwich on 12 July before hosting France in the final group game; destined to finish bottom, but with a place in the play-offs guaranteed thanks to their strong showing in the UEFA Nations League.

In balmy conditions, Gleeson tweaked her lineup, and her approach, following Friday's 3-0 defeat to the Swedes.

In came Aoife Mannion, Ruesha Littlejohn and Leanne Kiernan to complement a 4-2-3-1 formation that looked both secure and fluid in the opening stages.

The Swedes picked up five yellows in Dublin last Friday and they were lucky not to get another inside the first 60 seconds when Magdalena Eriksson cynically hauled down the marauding Jess Ziu on the left flank.

Pace is a precious commodity and that early tangle served as encouragement for the Girls in Green, who were also able to utilise the jet-heeled Kiernan on the right. The Liverpool attacker was a ball of energy, though she did have the wind taken out of her sails when Julia Zigotti Olme clattered into her