France won the doubles match 4–3 on aggregate and took the bronze medal in 3 arenas.
But Tuesday's match showed that there is a future for the Swedish national football team.
It is spelled Evelyn Ijeh. It is spelled Rosa Kafaji.
Both were substituted in the second half against France and each scored a goal to take the Nations League bronze medal match against France into extra time.
Ijeh headed home a superb free kick from Filippa Angeldahl (also a substitute) in the 84th minute to make it 1-1, the 24-year-old Milan striker's second career international goal.
22-year-old Kafaji, who missed this summer's European Championship after an injury-plagued season last year, made it 2-1 in the second minute of added time, also with a header. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's cross went towards the far post, French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin completely misjudged the ball, and Kafaji was able to easily tap it into the goal.
Gustavsson's goal rush
Since France won by the same number of points in Reims on Friday, it meant extra time – and you only had to follow Tony Gustavsson with your eyes to understand what that meant. And not just for the match.
Sweden's new national team captain had begun his time in charge with three straight losses – 0–4 and 0–1 in the semi-final against Spain before the loss on Friday – and celebrated Kafaji's 2–1 goal with a euphoric sprint along the long side.
However, he left the field a loser – and with a red card.
"I want to apologize for my red card. Everyone knows that I am passionate and emotional and sometimes it can spill over. I didn't think I said anything rude, but the fourth official perceived it that way and so I got a red card," Gustavsson tells SVT.
I said: “How can it only be two minutes (of added time) when she was down for four.” She replied: “Whatever.” Then it burned a little for me.
Sembrant's last
After a goalless first quarter of extra time, Kelly Gago ran into a free kick early in the second. The Everton striker curled in a 2-2 through Jennifer Falk's legs, securing the Nations League bronze medal for France.
I said before the match that they have individual qualities and when your legs are tired and it's far into the match, then it hits, says Gustavsson about the French decisive goal.
Sweden's next match is a World Cup qualifier, which begins away against Italy on March 3. It will be without Linda Sembrant. The center-back, who was substituted in the 88th minute, made her 160th and final senior international appearance on Tuesday evening.
