Last summer, there was a lot of buzz about Sweden, who were just minutes away from a European Championship semi-final. Less than a year later, that's no longer the case.
Tuesday's 2-2 at home against Italy in Gothenburg marks the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign and made one thing clear: Sweden is struggling under Tony Gustavsson.
Since he took over as national coach after Peter Gerhardsson last fall, the Blue-Yellow record is nothing to be proud of.
Only two wins
Ten international matches. Two victories - both narrow 1–0 wins against Italy and Serbia.
"We have to build a national team that can eventually compete at the highest level. Because that's not where we are today. I hope it doesn't cost us a World Cup spot," Gustavsson said ahead of Tuesday's match.
This fall we will know. Then a two-stage World Cup playoff awaits. The first obstacle Sweden must overcome is teams from the qualifying C division. But after that another two-legged tie must be won, probably against much trickier opposition.
Otherwise, Sweden will miss the World Cup for the first time.
Tony Gustavsson has not had optimal conditions and has lost many big names who have either dropped out (Magdalena Eriksson, Linda Sembrant, Jonna Andersson) or suffered injuries (Kosovare Asllani, Nathalie Björn). He himself highlighted the lack of experience as a reason why Sweden could not hold together in the final group game away to Denmark last week (1–2).
With that background, it may seem strange that for the match against Italy he replaced center-back Amanda Ilestedt, an 82-cap, in favor of Amanda Nildén, who hasn't even earned 20.
Nildén was no more to blame than anyone else, but Sweden had huge problems defensively from the start. The Italians were pushing forward, especially along the right wing, and in the 36th minute it paid off.
Denmark to the World Cup
Both Bella Andersson and Smilla Holmberg let Sofia Cantore's pass get past them without taking action, and behind the two 19-year-olds, Elisabetta Oliveiro rushed forward and put it past Jennifer Falk to make it 1-0.
Just before the break, Nildén lost her mark on Martina Piemonte, who headed in to make it 2–0.
Some well-timed substitutions gave Sweden momentum. Fridolina Rolfö, Rosa Kafaji and Matilda Vinberg came on in the 57th minute and suddenly the game clicked. Hanna Lundkvist headed in from a corner in the 70th minute and shortly afterwards Rolfö thundered in the equalizer that saved the evening.
"It was nice. It becomes different when you get a few more minutes, have the opportunity to create things and get more touches on the ball," Rolfö told SVT after getting more playing time than last time against Denmark.
Tony Gustavsson was happy with what he saw in the second half:
"I am very pleased, especially with the character and morale of this group," Gustavsson said.
Denmark won the group and goes straight to the World Cup. Playoffs await second-placed Italy, third-placed Sweden and fourth-placed Serbia.
France and Spain also secured direct places for the World Cup on Tuesday.
