A 1-0 away win against what was on paper the toughest opponent in the group was exactly the start to the 2027 World Cup qualifiers that Tony Gustavsson had hoped for. The day before Tuesday's match in Reggio Calabria, at the very tip of the Italian boot, the head coach explained what this year is all about for the Swedish women's national football team:
We want to dream about Brazil. To have it as a vision and a dream. And to really dare to smell, look, visualize and feel that "that's where we want to go". It's not about winning a match. It's about winning a ticket to the World Cup in Brazil," Gustavsson said, and added:
Then, for example, a draw away to Italy could be completely okay.
19-year-old made her debut
It got better than that – after Filippa Angeldahl scored the decisive 1-0 in the 22nd minute, assisted by Felicia Schröder after a quick Swedish conversion. And that was pretty much what Sweden created offensively.
"It's not the best strike I've had. But it's on target and it's in the corner. So incredibly nice," the goal scorer told SVT.
Because, to be honest, there was no excitement about Sweden at Stadio Oreste Granillo. The victory nevertheless provided a perfect start in the hunt for first place in the group, which means direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup without the hassle and chaos that a playoff game can entail.
Italy, on the verge of reaching the European Championship final last summer, was probably just as good in terms of play, a couple of notches better in terms of the number of quality goal chances. But the Italians had difficulty getting through the inexperienced Swedish back line at times. The center-back pairing of Elma Juntilla Nelhage, 22, making her fourth senior appearance, and Bella Andersson, 19, making her national team debut, handled the home team's offensive attempts with distinction. In the stands, suspended head coach Tony Gustavsson - assistant Johanna Almgren took charge for the day - could only watch as his gamble of not selecting more experienced defenders paid off.
Falk caught out
In the second half, however, he was about to throw his headset down in frustration. He can thank Jennifer Falk for that.
First, the Swedish goalkeeper misjudged an Italian cross, allowing Michela Cambiaghi to head the ball against the post. Ten minutes later, Falk rushed out and miscleared a free kick straight to Italy's Martina Piemonte, who looked set to score before Falk managed to atone for her mistake at the last moment.
And when Falk was beaten in the final minutes, national team debutant Bella Andersson stood on the goal line and headed Giulia Dragoni's header away.
"It's a huge relief to win 1-0 and keep the score, and to do it at the end on the goal line. So it feels really good," Bella Andersson told SVT.
This means that it is a double Nordic team at the top of the group after the first round. Denmark defeated Serbia at home in the second match, 3–1, after goals by Sofie Bredgaard, Amalie Vangsgaard and Pernille Harder.
The World Cup qualifiers continue on Saturday, when Sweden faces Serbia away.
