Sweden 1-0 Ireland
Eoin Harrington reporting from the Friends Arena in Stockholm
Ireland fell to an agonising defeat in Stockholm on Tuesday evening, after their best performance of this EURO 2025 qualifying campaign thus far.
21,216 fans were in the Friends Arena for the fourth game of this campaign for both sides, just four days after Sweden ran out ultimately comfortable winners in Dublin.
Eileen Gleeson made three changes to the team from Friday's defeat, with Aoife Mannion, Ruesha Littlejohn and Leanne Kiernan coming in for Anna Patten, Jessie Stapleton and Amber Barrett.
In a strange game with few clearcut opportunities, Ireland acquitted themselves well though struggled to create any meaningful chances.
Sweden's influence grew ominously as the second half progressed, and a strange goal from a corner was ultimately the difference in Solna.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathródí.ie brúigh anseo.
🇸🇪 1-0 🇮🇪
Sweden take the lead with seven minutes to go, Eriksson getting a touch from Andersson’s corner
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📻@gameon2fm 👉 https://t.co/VgaQpwGRx2 pic.twitter.com/yKHQFUEOYs— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 4, 2024
Four defeats from four, then, for Ireland, after a frustrating and ultimately disappointing night.
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Sweden 1-0 Ireland: WNT player ratings
Courtney Brosnan - 7
Reliable as ever, made a good save to stop Rolfo from putting Sweden ahead in the 26th minute. Commanded her box well.
Another great save denied Janogy on 49 minutes, though it would have been ruled out for offside. Bailed Ireland out on more than one occasion in the second half. Solid stuff.
Aoife Mannion - 6
Made a brilliant interception at the back post after half an hour when McCabe was caught out down the left. Tracked back well and nullified the threat of Rolfo well in the first half.
Gave away a silly foul just after the break. A bizarre moment saw her wallop the ball against Rolfo inside her own six-yard box and nearly gift Sweden a goal.
Caitlin Hayes - 8
4 June 2024; Caitlin Hayes of Republic of Ireland heads the ball clear during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying match between Sweden and Republic of Ireland at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Excellent box defending in the first half, she got her head to almost every ball which came into the Irish area. Her passing was a level up from what it was on Friday.
Made a great block to shut down Janogy's goalscoring chance after 50 minutes, and her energy did not wane as the game went on. A brilliant performance.
Louise Quinn - 4
Caught in possession near her own box after 20 minutes to lead to Sweden's best chance of the opening moments. Bought a foul well after being put under pressure by McCabe losing possession in the 33rd minute.
Surprisingly withdrawn after 41 minutes for Anna Patten. She did not appear to be in any discomfort before being subbed off, though it was apparently a precaution to avoid injury.
Katie McCabe - 4.5
Really struggled to contain the influence of Kaneryd in the first half. Lost possession on a few occasions and put Ireland in real bother. Looked shattered after a gruelling close to the season.
Her attacking presence grew in the second half, though she was still sloppy on occasion. Yellow carded on 65 minutes - her second of the group, which means she will miss the England game next month.
Megan Connolly - 6.5
4 June 2024; Megan Connolly of Republic of Ireland is tackled by Fridolina Rolfö of Sweden during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying match between Sweden and Republic of Ireland at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Her volley from the edge of the box caused a panic in Sweden's box after 24 minutes. She seemed to regularly be in the right place at the right time and did solid work in breaking up and frustrating the Swedish attack, particularly in the opening minutes of the second half.
Ruesha Littlejohn - 5
Very little involvement on the ball in the first half and seemed cagey when she did get it. Applied herself well physically.
Departed just before the hour mark having left little mark on the game.
Lily Agg - 5
Nearly flicked Megan Connolly's volley in on 24 minutes. Similarly quiet to Littlejohn, though she was involved in a few nice moments of link-up play with Jess Ziu.
Leanne Kiernan - 6
She received treatment early on for a clash of heads. Was threatening on the few occasions Ireland got into the danger zone in the first half, making good runs in behind.
She was spent by the time she was withdrawn late on, but she never stopped running.
Kyra Carusa - 5.5
4 June 2024; Kyra Carusa of Republic of Ireland in action against Hanna Lundkvist of Sweden during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying match between Sweden and Republic of Ireland at Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Played a decent through ball to Kiernan after 22 minutes to set up a half-chance. Could possibly have done better when Kiernan returned the favour ten minutes later. More involved than she was on Friday.
She did well to get in behind with some regularity when Ireland attacked but struggled with the final ball.
Jess Ziu - 6.5
Industrious as she was on Friday in the opening stages, she won back possession more than once with clever tackles and interceptions. Got back really well to block Janogy's shot on 29 minutes. Consistently energetic.
Began to exploit the space down the right flank well in the second half before being withdrawn late on.
Substitutions
Anna Patten (for Quinn, 41') - 4.5
Surprisingly introduced just before half-time when Louise Quinn was withdrawn. Sloppy in possession in the 51st minute and nearly set Janogy through on goal. Booked just before the hour mark for a cynical foul on Janogy.
Jessie Stapleton (for Littlejohn, 57') - 5
Marshalled well alongside Connolly, though she was similarly quiet with the ball at her feet as the woman she replaced.
Abbie Larkin (for Agg, 57') - 5
Her first minutes of this qualifying campaign. Got a few early touches but struggled to beat her marker down the left.
Amber Barrett (for Kiernan, 79') - 5
Irish players consistently tried to find her in behind but she failed to make any meaningful impact on the game in regulation. Had Ireland's best effort of the game in injury-time, forcing Musovic down to make what was, admittedly, a routine save.
Lucy Quinn (for Ziu, 79') - 5
Enjoyed a bit of time on the ball but did little of note with it.
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