Corners, fouls and targeting the left — how Sweden can hurt England

Times

a day ago

Although England have emerged from a tough group, their Euro 2025 campaign is not getting easier. Sweden await in the quarter-finals on Thursday and the Lionesses must be very careful.
Sweden are ranked sixth in the world, won all three group games and look in good nick. They left me impressed when I covered their 3-0 win over Poland and then sealed top spot in group C by defeating Germany, a fellow title contender, 4-1 last Saturday.
England beat them 4-0 in the Euro 2022 semi-finals, but more recent meetings were far tighter. The teams drew twice in Euros qualifying last year (1-1 at Wembley in April and 0-0 in Gothenburg in July) and Sweden could have easily won both matches.
Their style is physical — with their 35 fouls committed the joint-most in the group stage — and they attack similarly to France, who overpowered England in their tournament opener. Sweden use a 4-3-3 system and love to build from wide areas, delivering more crosses (89) than any other nation in Switzerland.
They are particularly strong down the right. Some 43 per cent of their attacking touches happened within the right-hand third against Germany, and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd is a livewire presence. The Chelsea winger is akin to France's Delphine Cascarino, who tormented England's left-sided defenders.
After they struggled against France, Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood swapped positions, with Carter moving to left centre back and Greenwood to left back. This system worked against the Netherlands and Wales, but Rytting Kaneryd poses a more direct threat than any player in those two teams. England's rearranged left side will receive its sternest test yet on Thursday — if Sarina Wiegman sticks with it.
Rytting Kaneryd is far from the only danger woman, though. Madelen Janogy is elusive on Sweden's left wing and can challenge Lucy Bronze much like Sandy Baltimore did for France.
In England's goal, Hannah Hampton is set to receive a tricky examination from crosses. Sweden are a tall team, with Fridolina Rolfo, Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius all about 5ft 10in. Amanda Ilestedt, a centre back, was their top scorer at the 2023 World Cup with four goals from set pieces, including three headers from corners. Sweden have taken the most inswinging corners (20) at Euro 2025. Hampton struggled when crowded at set pieces against Sweden last July.
However, Hampton is ready. Sweden may target her from dead balls, but coping with what is thrown at you is part of sport and Hampton deals with crosses on top of her every game in the Women's Super League. The 24-year-old is growing into the tournament and I have no doubts about her in or out of possession.
Elsewhere, England's defence must be wary of Blackstenius. The Arsenal striker is a 'Marmite' player, often receiving criticism for failing to stay onside or convert chances. Yet she has scored several huge goals for Arsenal, including the winner in this year's Champions League final.
It would be foolish to believe England can afford to give Blackstenius space. Her timing of movement from crosses is superb, and she can both link play with the ball at her feet and run in behind. England must assume Blackstenius will convert every clear-cut chance and defend her accordingly.
In midfield, the hugely experienced Kosovare Asllani conducts the press. My former Manchester City team-mate, who is aged 35 and on 202 caps, pushes aggressively when out of possession, allowing Sweden to press in a 4-4-2 shape and try to lock their opponents on one side of the pitch.
Filippa Angeldahl has a free-roaming role that allows her to carry the ball and find Sweden's wingers. She could be partnered in midfield by Julia Zigiotti Olme, who mops up scraps and allows the front five to attack aggressively. Equally, Sweden showed their depth by starting Hanna Bennison alongside Angeldahl against Germany, and this flexibility makes England's preparation harder.
In defence Nathalie Bjorn, my former Everton team-mate now at Chelsea, gives everything you'd want from a centre back, from exceptional passing to big tackles.
While it all sounds rather daunting, England have improved markedly since their opening game. France got so much joy out wide because England were sloppy in midfield, but Wiegman's side have tightened up in this area since Ella Toone was selected to start their second group match against the Netherlands. Toone, Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway must compete fiercely for second balls to stop Sweden feeding their wingers quickly. They can further limit dribbling opportunities for the likes of Rytting Kaneryd by not losing possession cheaply and ensuring Angeldahl is tightly marked at all times.
England have their own match-winners too. Lauren James is in fine form and can beat Sweden's defenders in one-on-ones — as she did at Wembley last year. Even if the Chelsea forward is contained, the attention she demands should open up space for team-mates such as Toone, Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp.
It is a fascinating match-up, full of world-class players and tactical battles. Sweden are a really tough proposition but if England continue their upward trajectory, then I'm backing them to reach the last four.
Women's European Championship quarter-finalThursday, 8pmTV BBC1