It was in stoppage time in the European Championship qualifying match against Luxembourg on Friday that Evelyn Ijeh took advantage of a rebound and made it 4–0 for Sweden.
It was the first national team goal for the 23-year-old.
Nice to have it done, so I can focus on the next one, she says.
For me, it feels like I can breathe a little.
Including the national team goal, Evelyn Ijeh has now scored goals in three consecutive matches, after goals against Sampdoria and Roma for her Milan in the Italian league.
The journey to the Italian giant club took, however, a somewhat unusual route.
Father Peter Ijeh was during his active time a big profile in, among others, Malmö FF and IFK Göteborg. While the father took the step from Nigeria to the men's Allsvenskan, the daughter moved last year from Damallsvenskan to – Tigres in Mexico.
For me, it felt like I just wanted to see what was there. I had a reference too from a friend who had played there and she thought it was very good, says Evelyn Ijeh.
If it wouldn't be as I had thought, then you can just come home again or move on.
"Good finisher"
Last winter, the career continued with a loan to Milan, a move that became permanent last summer.
Last summer, the first national team chance also came.
She's very skilled at scoring goals, very skilled at picking up things, a good finisher, praises assistant national team coach Magnus Wikman.
She has shown that she belongs here and competes seriously.
On the other hand, he continues, he would rather have seen Evelyn Ijeh play as a striker even in Milan instead of on the midfield.
Yes, she has ended up in another position in her club team, which means that she sometimes ends up there during training here too, says Wikman.
But on Friday, she got to jump in as a forward, which is actually what we see as her best position.
Thrives in the attack
Evelyn Ijeh is the first to agree.
Yes, I naturally prefer to be a forward. It's what's closest, she says.
After 4–0 away on Friday, Sweden is already facing Tuesday's return match in Göteborg with one foot in the decisive playoff round to the European Championship.
Evelyn Ijeh, who started her football career in Göteborg, hopes for more playing time in front of the home crowd.
I feel in good form and want to play, of course. But we have such good competition, so it's about being ready for what you get, she says.
