Ireland 0-3 Sweden
Eoin Harrington reporting from the Aviva Stadium
Ireland fell to a third straight defeat of their EURO 2025 qualifying campaign against Sweden on Friday night, with the Swedes running out 3-0 victors on Lansdowne Road.
A somewhat disappointing attendance of 22,868 was reported in Dublin, as Ireland chased their first points of this round-robin.
They were dealt a blow ahead of kick-off, with the injury-enforced absence of Denise O'Sullivan confirmed. Ruesha Littlejohn was also ruled out of the matchday squad.
This was certainly Ireland's strongest performance yet in the group but the class of Sweden was plain to see.
With fewer opportunities than they may have expected, the World Cup bronze medalists were still able to ruthlessly despatch two tidy finishes past Courtney Brosnan via Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (twice) and Fridolina Rolfo.
Ireland now travel to Stockholm next week with their hopes of automatic qualification all but over, and Kaneryd's late third for Sweden put a disappointing gloss on what had been a far more encouraging performance than in the first two games.
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Ireland v Sweden: Player ratings
Courtney Brosnan - 5.5
Came out well early on to shut down a Sweden chance - though she will have been disappointed she could not prevent Kaneryd's opener when she came out in similar fashion in the 26th minute.
After an encouraging opening quarter Sweden go in front with Rytting Kaneryd goal.
31min: 🇮🇪 0-1 🇸🇪
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/Nol1PDFth1#IRESWE #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/dsD3h5fq03— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 31, 2024
She was thankful for Jess Ziu's brilliant intervention at the back post on 50 minutes when she let Angeldal's cross slip through her hands.
Good stop at point-blank range to deny Fridolina Rolfo on 54 minutes. Got down well to her left to deny Angeldal in injury time.
Caitlin Hayes - 6
The calmest and strongest of Ireland's back three in a first half where they had to weather some strong Swedish pressure. Stepped in well on three separate occasions to deny Sweden goalscoring opportunities in the opening period.
Despite her strength in defence, Hayes' usually reliable passing game was found lacking on several points, with a fair few first-half passes misplaced.
Louise Quinn - 5
Was unusually nervy at points during the first half, struggling to deal with the threat posed by Sweden's front line. An aerial threat as always from set pieces.
Kaneryd danced past her in the box just before the half-hour mark.
Could have done better with her attempted sliding clearance in the buildup to Rolfo scoring Sweden's second.
Classy finish for Rolfo to put Sweden two in front. Fine margins between the teams with Sweden proving strong on the counter-attack.
64min: 🇮🇪 0-2 🇸🇪
📺 Watch on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/Nol1PDFth1#IRESWE #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/FbXGq2wL4w— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 31, 2024
Anna Patten - 4.5
Kaneryd dragged the Aston Villa defender out of position for Sweden's opener, and the same player would later outmuscle Patten and sit her down as she charged towards goal.
Indecisive on the ball in the first half, which got her into trouble on more than one occasion.
Jess Ziu - 7
31 May 2024; Jess Ziu of Republic of Ireland in action against Jonna Andersson of Sweden during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Sweden at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Ziu made some excellent first-half breaks down the right, and delivered an inch-perfect cross after half an hour that all in the stadium were astonished to see headed over by Amber Barrett.
The West Ham star was extremely lucky not to give away a penalty, however, when the officials somehow failed to call her volleying a Swedish player in the area. Fortunate there was no VAR in operation.
Did brilliantly at the back post after 50 minutes to prevent a Sweden goal after Courtney Brosnan's error. Her defensive contributions were more numerous in the second half, and she largely executed them well.
Jessie Stapleton - 4.5
The quietest of Ireland's midfield trio in the first half. Dispossessed and found wanting positionally on more than one occasion before the break.
Withdrawn just before the hour after making minimal impact on the game.
Megan Connolly - 5
Typically assured in controlling possession, though her long passing in behind was not quite as strong as it has been in the past. Set-piece delivery was constantly threatening, as per usual.
Lily Agg - 6
31 May 2024; Lily Agg of Republic of Ireland watches her shot on goal go wide during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Sweden at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
A surprise inclusion from the start in the absence of Denise O'Sullivan and Ruesha Littlejohn. The most combative presence in the middle for Ireland - as evidenced by her risky slide tackle after just two minutes.
Missed from the edge of the six-yard box early on with what was one of Ireland's best first-half opportunities.
One of two players who were somewhat surprisingly in the starting XI and were similarly surprising in putting in some of the strongest performances on the night.
Katie McCabe - 5.5
Far more lively here than she was against either France or England, and far more involved in the play - in the first half at least. Her corner delivery and skill from the resultant play set up two decent chances for Ireland just after eight minutes.
Sweden spoke pre-game about targeting McCabe, and it was evident that was enforced. Her impact on the game decreased significantly after the break, and she became visibly frustrated with the antics of the Swedish players late on.
Kyra Carusa - 5.5
Good pressing from the front, though she had very little time on the ball once again - a recurring theme of this qualifying campaign.
Did well in the opening moments of the first-half to set an Ireland counter-attack through on goal. Much of her second half involvement, however, saw her do the hard things well and then make mistakes when presented with a simple option.
Amber Barrett - 6.5
31 May 2024; Amber Barrett of Republic of Ireland misses an attempt on goal despite the attention of Nathalie Björn of Sweden during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Sweden at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Another somewhat surprising addition from the start, Barrett was Ireland's most dangerous player going forward in the first period.
Her runs in behind consistently stretched the Swedish defence, and her hold-up play was largely excellent.
Nonetheless, she was staggered and furious - as were most Irish fans in the stadium - when she headed over inside the six-yard box just after the half-hour mark.
Withdrawn with 20 minutes to go after a surprising standout showing.
Substitutes
Tyler Toland (for Stapleton, 59') - 5
Overhit a couple of passes but generally did her defensive job well. Found out of position on occasion.
Aoife Mannion (for Carusa, 72') - 5
Struggled to make her mark on the game and looked nervous on occasions when Sweden ran at her down the left flank (Ireland's right).
Megan Campbell (for Patten, 72') - 5.5
As always, her long throws added a new and dynamic threat to Ireland's game going forward when she came on.
Leanne Kiernan (for Agg, 72') - 5
She will have been disappointed not to be in from the start. Made a solid impact when she came off the bench, though she was offered little opportunity to run at goal.
Emily Murphy (for Barrett, 84') - n/a
Not on long enough to rate.
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