Sembrant was replaced by Hanna Lundkvist with two minutes remaining in regular time. At that time, Evelyn Ijeh had just equalized with a nice header, giving the national team hope – and Sembrant the chance to finish with a medal.
A possibility that increased significantly when Rosa Kafaji added an extension (2 x 15 minutes) in added time, also on a header.
Suddenly the doubles match was completely even – 3–3.
"We're doing fantastically well and coming back in the second half. We believe in it all the way through. I'm proud of the team," says Linda Sembrant.
“In shock stage”
After a goalless first quarter, it took no more than half a minute for Kelly Gago to score the goal that ruined the evening for the national team.
Sembrant did not get the finale to her blue-and-yellow career she had hoped for.
She made her debut in the senior national team 17 years ago and tonight's international match was her 160th.
For a large part of that time, she has been a key defender and has managed to help the national team win four championship medals: Olympic silver in 2016, World Cup bronze in 2011, 2019 and 2023.
She missed the 2021 Olympic silver medal due to injury.
The emotions were strong, but difficult to sort out afterwards.
Right now I don't really feel anything. But I think I need to land a little and take it in. I still enjoyed being out there. Of all the fans who were there, my family and my friends. At the same time, you're kind of in the middle of this, so I'm probably a bit in a shock stage right now.
Flying to Germany
On March 3, Sweden begins the World Cup qualifiers away against Italy. Linda Sembrant doesn't know what she will do then. But she doesn't feel any concern for the next generation.
This team has a great future, it feels good to pass the baton now and see where it goes for this group.
She will continue playing football for a while longer. The 38-year-old has a contract with the Swedish women's team AIK until the end of 2026. But first: vacation.
On Wednesday she flies down to Munich to meet her old teammates in Bayern – including fellow center back Magdalena Eriksson, who has also just retired from the national team.
It actually feels good to go down there now based on her and my situation. To have a drink and look back on everything we've experienced.
