Manchester City F.C.
·30 November 2021
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Yahoo sportsManchester City F.C.
·30 November 2021
Filippa Angeldahl played the full 90 minutes for Sweden as they made it five wins from five in Women’s World Cup qualifying with a 3-0 triumph over Slovakia.
The Olympic silver medallists started the evening six points clear at the top of European Group A, and extended their commanding position thanks to goals from Lina Hurtig, Fridolina Rolfo and Amanda Ilestedt.
That lead was reduced back to eight points, however, after the Republic of Ireland beat Georgia 11-0 in Tuesday’s later kick-off.
It rounds off a successful international break for Angeldahl and co., who claimed a hard-fought win over Finland on Thursday to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.
And just as she did in that 2-1 triumph, the City midfielder once again had a hand in one of her nation’s goals, crossing in for Ilestedt to head home the third of the evening.
It means the Swedes extend their winning run to six successive matches, with their last defeat coming at the hands of Janine Beckie’s Canada in the gold medal match at this summer’s Olympic Games.
It was an evening to forget for Caroline Weir and Scotland though, who were beaten 8-0 by Spain in the battle between the top two in Group B.
The City midfielder was substituted at the break after Amaiur Sarriegi, Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati had handed the hosts a 3-0 half-time lead.
Sarriegi and Bonmati both added another to their tally to put the game out of sight before Jenifer Hermoso added a seventh with ten to play.
And there was just enough time for Caldentey to complete her hat-trick and the rout late on.
Weir and co. still remain second in Group B, but their first defeat of the qualifying campaign leaves them five points behind the Spaniards.
Elsewhere, Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy both featured for Australia as a last gasp strike from Kyah Simon earned a 1-1 friendly draw with the United States.
Raso started the match for the Matildas before being replaced midway through the second half, while Kennedy was brought on with 20 to play.