There had been a crunch from both sides initially, tough duels where both grass tufts and players had to dodge and weave. Not much football, but a receipt for the match's importance for both nations.
Then, out of nowhere, Sweden started playing a dazzling attacking football, entirely in the style of what national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson wants to see.
21-year-old Yasin Ayari has received recurring trust in midfield from the Dane – something he thanked him properly for at National Stadium. There has been much talk and loud about Hugo Larsson not starting in the Nations League, even less about Ayari doing it regularly.
And why.
He gave the answers in Bratislava. With his intensity and offensive courage.
Volley's rib in
Premier League pro celebrated his first national team goal via a volley shot, after a pass from Dejan Kulusevski – in his life's form? – was deflected. Ayari struck directly and on instinct. The right-foot shot slipped in via goalkeeper Marek Rodak and the crossbar.
Eight minutes later, Ken Sema got to do like Ayari – rejoice at the first full hit in the national team.
Very big, this is something I've been waiting for and dreaming about. Now I got to do it and am very happy, says Sema to Viaplay.
The awake left-back kept himself forward and pushed in the rebound Rodak let go of Viktor Gyökeres' finish. The VAR review showed that Sema was onside.
Tomasson stretched out both hands in the air. A gesture that said it all. This is how he wants it.
But the defensive weaknesses remain.
David Strelec's reduction just before halftime doesn't belong in the instruction book for how to behave defensively. Viktor Johansson missed a pass. In the chaos that ensued, Slovakia got contact.
"Sour"
Larsson came in for Ayari and Victor Nilsson Lindelöf for Alex Douglas after a little over an hour's play.
The Slovaks forced, Strelec pushed in 2–2 with 20 intense minutes left, where both teams went for the three-pointer.
The first half-hour is good, we play them out and have the match where we want it. Then they get a cheap goal… It feels a bit sour, it would have been nice to win this match, says Sema.
The Nations League continues for Sweden against Estonia in Tallinn on Monday.
