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    Sweden vs. Cymru | 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup – UWNL League Stage – Grp A4

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        4. Rhian Wilkinson – Post-match reaction

          “That was a fantastic performance from the team,” said Wilkinson to BBC Sport Wales after the match. “I thought we had good stretches of the game, but we had to ride our luck a bit and they came close a few times, but the way that this team never quit, the way that the stick with it and to get a tie with Sweden away is a phenomenal moment and one that we can really build from.

          “No matter who we put on, no matter what role I ask them to play, they give everything. The way that we’re trying to push our own standards as a country, that’s what I want the Welsh public back home to be proud of. This team is really putting on performances for them.”

        5. Match Summary

          Rhian Wilkinson challenged her squad to make the most of their opportunities as Cymru went into this match without a string of experienced players as Jess Fishlock, Ceri Holland and Laura O’Sullivan-Jones joined Kayleigh Barton and Sophie Ingle on the injury list.

          Goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel was handed just her third senior appearance and impressed from the start as she pulled off a string of saves to frustrate a strong Swedish forward line. After her Player of the Match performance against Italy, 18-year old defender Mayzee Davies was also included in the starting line-up and again showed maturity beyond her years as she put in another solid performance in the opening half.

          Esther Morgan made a welcome to the team and proved to be a valuable attacking threat for Cymru, while Carrie Jones also got behind the Swedish defence on occasion but the side could not create chances of any real quality. Sweden were dominant throughout the opening half with Fridolina Rolfo, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Filippa Angeldahl all coming close, but the Cymru defence stood firm.

          The link-up play between Blackstenius and Kaneryd continued to cause problems for Cymru following the re-start while Angeldahl tested Middleton-Patel from outside the area. Once again though, the young shot-stopper was equal to it. However, Sweden would take the lead on the hour mark after a period of sustained pressure as Magdalena Eriksson headed in from a corner.

          Within 10 minutes though Cymru were level as Rachel Rowe threaded a perfect ball through the Swedish defence for Hannah Cain. The substitute had only been on the field a few minutes but rounded the keeper and finished in style to level the score. Sweden were clearly desperate not to drop points against Cymru for a second time, but with Middleton-Patel in absolutely inspired form, there was no way through.

          Substitute Ffion Morgan had a great chance to put Cymru ahead but was denied by goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, while at the other end Madelen Janogy could have won it for Sweden in the final moments but her header went narrowly wide before Amanda Ilestedt again brought the best out of Middleton-Patel.

          The final whistle confirmed another job well done for Wilkinson’s side, and another positive performance and result to take into the EURO finals this summer.

        6. Full-time verdict: A memorable result and performance from Cymru against a very strong Swedish team. Despite injuries denying Rhian Wilkinson a wealth of experience, her replacements more than rose to the challenge and there will be some big decisions for the head coach to make in the summer. Substitute Hannah Cain scored a superb equaliser to earn her side a point, but it was goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel on just her third senior appearance who put in an incredible performance to frustrate the home side with a series of fine saves.

        7. 90' + 5'

          Yellow card

          Matilda Vinberg

        8. 90' + 1'

          Substitution

          ESTCOURT Charlotte replaces ROWE Rachel

        9. 89'

          That was close! Substitute Janogy heads narrowly wide of the post. That could have been the winner for Sweden.

        10. 89'

          Substitution

          Amanda Ilestedt replaces Hanna Lundkvist

        11. Safia Middleton-Patel makes yet another save

        12. 85'

          Yellow card

          ROBERTS Rhiannon

        13. 84'

          Close! Morgan and Cain combine, a great counter-attack from Cymru but Falk makes the save.

        14. 83'

          Strong defending from substitute Woodham to prevent Olme from hitting the target. Cymru are determined to take at least a point from this memorable match.

        15. 80'

          Vinberg the latest to be denied by Middleton-Patel. This has been some performance from the young goalkeeper.

        16. Hannah Cain celebrates her goal

        17. 78'

          Substitution

          Amanda Nildén replaces Anna Sandberg

        18. 78'

          Substitution

          Matilda Vinberg replaces Fridolina Rolfö

        19. 77'

          Sweden react to that Cymru chance with one of their own but Middleton-Patel pulls off another fine save to deny Kaneryd. Both teams are going for maximum points in this one, it could be a dramatic finish.

        20. 76'

          What a chance for Morgan but the substitute is denied by Falk in the Swedish goal. Sweden are clearly rattled by that Cymru equaliser.

        21. 74'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Ffion Alys replaces JONES Carrie

        22. The Red Wall are in good voice in Gothenburg

        23. 69'

          Important to mention the contribution of Rowe on that Cymru equaliser too. What a great ball through to Cain to split the Swedish defence.

        24. 68'

          WOW! What a great goal from Cain to draw Cymru level! A superb run before taking the ball around the Swedish keeper and finishing against the far post just minutes after coming off the bench. Cymru are right back in this.

        25. 68'

          Goal

          CAIN Hannah

        26. Rhiannon Roberts challenges for the ball

        27. 63'

          Substitution

          Madelen Janogy replaces Kosovare Asllani

        28. 63'

          Substitution

          Julia Zigotti Olme replaces Hanna Bennison

        29. 63'

          Substitution

          GREEN Josie replaces POWELL Ella

        30. 63'

          Substitution

          CAIN Hannah replaces HUGHES Elise

        31. 60'

          Sweden score from the resulting corner as Eriksson heads the ball past Middleton-Patel and beats Ladd on the line to open the scoring. This is a test of Cymru’s character now.

        32. 59'

          Goal

          Magdalena Eriksson

        33. 59'

          Roberts to the rescue for Cymru as she heads a cross from Lundkvist away for a corner. Sweden are ramping up the pressure again.

        34. Cymru captain Angharad James plays the ball

        35. 56'

          The link-up play between Blackstenius and Kaneryd continues to cause problems for Cymru while Angeldahl tests Middleton-Patel from outside the area. Once again the young shot-stopper deals with it.

        36. 52'

          Cymru will be very satisfied with their work so far this evening. Sweden having the better possession following the restart but the visiting defence are still holding firm.

        37. Carrie Jones asks questions of the Sweden defence.

        38. Half-time verdict: Plenty of changes again from Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson and it was goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel who has stood up to the challenge on just her third senior appearance with a string of fine saves. Sweden have had some great chances through Fridolina Rolfo, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Filippa Angeldahl, but without reward. Cymru have asked questions of their own at the other end of the field, with Carrie Jones and Esther Morgan on her return to the side causing problems, while 18-year old Mayzee Davies has once again been excellent at the back to keep it level at half-time.

        39. 44'

          Now Angeldahl fails to convert from close range. Sweden are really pushing for a goal before half-time and Cymru really need to ride this storm.

        40. 43'

          Huge chance for Sweden but Kaneryd puts her effort wide from close range. Best chance of the match so far.

        41. 40'

          Another dangerous run into the Cymru area by Blackstenius but Asllani fails to make decent contact with the ball.

        42. Elise Hughes takes on the Sweden defence

        43. 37'

          Cymru have definitely settled into this game now after an intense period of early pressure from Sweden. The home side will feel frustrated that they haven’t been able to convert any of their chances so far.

        44. 34'

          A good run from Morgan on the left but she can’t get the ball into the area. Great to see her back performing well for Cymru.

        45. Rachel Rowe controls the ball against Sweden’s Hanna Bennison in midfield

        46. 30'

          A decent chance for Cymru as Jones gets behind the Sweden defence but nobody can convert her ball across the area. These are the opportunities Cymru need to take.

        47. The Cymru starting line-up

        48. 26'

          Cymru having a welcome spell of possession as Roberts delivers a cross. So important to make the most of these opportunities to give the defence a chance to regroup.

        49. 22'

          A good save from Middleton-Patel to deny the dangerous Rolfö from close range. Sweden are keeping up the pressure.

        50. 20'

          Roberts with an important intervention there to block a through ball to Blackstenius. Cymru are holding firm against some determined attacking play from the home side.

        51. 14'

          Middleton-Patel is being kept busy in these early exchanges but the 20-year old looks pretty composed. It’s been a wide-open start to this match.

        52. 10'

          It’s end to end as Sweden counterattack and somehow Rytting Kaneryd misses the target when it looked to be going in.

        53. 10'

          Rowe takes the game to Sweden but her shot from the edge of the box is deflected kindly for a defender to sweep up.

        54. 9'

          Sweden are putting Cymru under a lot of pressure in these early stages and there’s a sense this home crowd are expecting to see goals.

        55. KICK OFF

          The match in Gothenburg is underway.

        56. '

          Substitution

          WOODHAM Lily replaces MORGAN Esther

        57. Rhian Wilkinson spoke to BBC Wales Sport ahead of the match about the changes she’s made to her starting line-up: “The Euros are coming up quickly and these games are really great tests for us. We’ve got to to get our players out there… we’ve got to give them this opportunity.”

          On Sweden, Wilkinson added: “There’s a reason why Sweden are one of the top teams in the world, they’ve got a lot of talent. They’ve gone with their best attacking line-up, which is exciting for us. We’ve got to live with it… and make our chances count.”

        58. All smiles from Elise Hughes. The Cymru striker returned to the squad at the start of this Nations League campaign following a lengthy time out through injury. This will be her first start since her return.

        60. The players have arrived at the stadium. Gemma Evans is one of five players who keeps their place in the team.

        61. CYMRU XI

          Rhian Wilkinson has made six changes to her line-up following the 2-1 defeat to Denmark in Cardiff on Friday.

          Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Evans, Angharad James, Hayley Ladd and Rachel Rowe all keep their starting places.

          Meanwhile, Safia Middleton-Patel, Ella Powell, Mayzee Davies, Esther Morgan, Carrie Jones and Elise Hughes also start.

        62. The Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg.

        64. The players have been enjoying a pre-match walk in Gothenburg ahead of this UEFA Women’s Nations League match.

        66. Wilkinson on Cymru opportunity

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson believes injuries to key players in her squad offers the opportunity for others to impress ahead of tonight’s UEFA Nations League match against Sweden in Gothenburg.

          In addition to long-term absentee Sophie Ingle, Kayleigh Barton withdrew from the squad prior to the 2-1 defeat to Denmark on Friday night, while Jess Fishlock and Ceri Holland have not travelled with the squad.

          “We have lost a lot of experience within the group, but equally we talk about depth and this is why we do it,” said Wilkinson on Monday. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m sure someone is going to really rise to the occasion because there is space to do that.”

        68. Media duty

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson and captain Angharad James spoke to the media earlier today to look ahead to taking on Sweden on Tuesday evening.

          “We have a really clear plan in place and we will put out players who will get us over the line,” said Wilkinson after addressing the injuries suffered by Jess Fishlock and Ceri Holland.

          “We’re looking forward to the game and it will be an incredible challenge for us. It was a fantastic result for us in Wales, but now we’re in their home stadium and they’re a dangerous team. It’s a great experience for us to be here and we’re looking forward to putting on a show.”

          James also discussed the injuries that have ruled four key players out for Cymru on Tuesday evening and how the squad has progressed to deal with such setbacks. “Over the past few years we’ve grown as a group and we now have a squad that’s ready to compete,” she explained.

          “We have players here ready who are just as good, understand the game plan, have been with us for many years and are ready to step-up. I trust everyone around me and everyone trusts each other, and we’ll give it our best shot.”

        70. Final preparations

          The Cymru squad trained at the Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg earlier today ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League match against Sweden.

          Ceri Holland and Jess Fishlock are the latest players to be ruled out of the match through injury, joining Sophie Ingle and Kayleigh Barton on the list of enforced absentees.

        72. Fishlock to miss Sweden match

          Cymru midfielder Jess Fishlock has been ruled out of Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League match against Sweden through injury and has not travelled to Gothenburg with the squad.

          “Jess is someone who would play every game,” said Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson on Monday. “It was with her and in combination with the fantastic medical team in Seattle as well as in Wales [that the decision was made].”

          Fishlock was named on the bench for the match against Denmark in Cardiff on Friday night and was an unused substitute in the 2-1 defeat.

          “We had a conversation about how to get Jess to be feeling the best possible,” Wilkinson added. “She would keep going and going and going, but we felt this was the right time to get her rest and recovery.”

        74. Meet the Ref

          Olatz Rivera Olmedo of Spain will take charge of the UEFA Nations League match between Sweden and Cymru in Gothenburg on Tuesday evening.

          The 28-year old recently refereed the Liga F match between Barcelona and Real Madrid and was the Fourth Official when Cymru defeated the Republic of Ireland in Dublin last December to qualify for EURO 2025.

          Iragartze Fernández Esesúmaga and Rocio Puente Pino are the Assistant Referees while Elisabet Calvo Valentín is the Fourth Official. All of the officials are from Spain.

        77. Preparations continue

          The Cymru squad were on the training ground earlier today prior to heading off to Sweden for Tuesday’s Nations League match in Gothenburg.

          The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in Wrexham back in February, with Kayleigh Barton scoring Cymru’s equaliser from the penalty spot. Sweden are the current Group A4 leaders following their 3-2 win over Italy on Friday, while Cymru were narrowly defeated 2-1 against Denmark.

        80. Previous meetings

          Kayleigh Barton was the hero when the two sides met at Wrexham back in February as her penalty (below) earned Cymru a 1-1 draw with Sweden after the visitors had taken an early lead through Filippa Angeldahl.

          It was the first match between the two nations in over a decade, as Cymru and Sweden were last drawn together in Group 8 of 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying and it was eventual group winners Sweden that would win both games.

          The first match took place at Airbus UK Broughton FC in March 2010 as Cymru were defeated 4-0. Sweden then completed the double with a 5-1 win in the return match in August that year, with Gwennan Harries scoring the consolation goal for Cymru in the 81st minute.

        81. As it stands

          Cymru will take on Group A4 leaders Sweden at the Gamla Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg on Tuesday night looking to build on three strong performances in this Nations League campaign.

          Sweden moved to the top of the group on Friday night with a 3-2 victory over Italy but needed a penalty from Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfö to win the match deep into added time on a night of drama in Solna.

          Meanwhile, Rhian Wilkinson’s side were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Denmark in Cardiff. Signe Bruun had put the visitors ahead before Ceri Holland scored a superb equaliser, but Amalie Vangsgaard sealed the three points with just under 20 minutes remaining. Denmark now take on Italy on Tuesday night.

          Cymru are the only team to take points off Sweden in the current campaign following the 1-1 draw at Wrexham back in February as preparations continue for the EURO finals that will take place in Switzerland this summer.

        82. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Table

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                Gd
                Pts

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

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