England’s Lionesses will defend their Euros crown after securing qualification for next year’s tournament with a goalless draw against Sweden on Tuesday evening.
Sarina Wiegman’s side travelled to Gothenburg needing to avoid defeat in order to qualify automatically, otherwise they would have to settle for a place in the play-offs.
England were the stronger team in the first-half but both defences were in top form, with the first shot on target coming after the break in the 50th minute.
That chance came courtesy of Sweden who, needing a win to secure qualification for themselves, stepped up their game but Hannah Hampton was on hand to make an important save.
Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway and Leah Williamson all could have scored but lacked the clinical finish, while down the other end Hampton, starting ahead of Mary Earps again, was forced to weather a storm of Swedish chances.
It was a nervy performance from the young goalkeeper, but she held firm to secure the point, with Wiegman now preparing her side to retain their Euros title after their historic win at Wembley three years ago.
In what has been a sad few days for English football, with the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain followed by Gareth Southgate’s resignation on Tuesday, the Lionesses were able to restore a little bit of joy.
At their home Euros in 2022, they became the first England team to win a major trophy since 1966 and as reigning champions and World Cup runners-up, the Lionesses will no doubt be one of the favourites to triumph at Euro 2025.
Euro 2025 is being held in Switzerland next July and will be contested between 16 teams, with England set to discover their opponents when the draw is made in December.
.
.