Angeldahl's Sweden earn important Euros win | OneFootball

Filippa Angeldahl helped move Sweden to within touching distance of the EURO 2022 knockout stages courtesy of a 2-1 win over Switzerland.

The City midfielder started the match for Peter Gerhardsson’s side, operating in a deep-lying midfield role alongside Caroline Seger before being replaced on 68 minutes.

The Swedes, who were in control for large periods at Bramall Lane, looked like they’d have to settle for a point when Swiss forward Ramona Bachmann responded almost instantly to Fridolina Rolfo opener early in the second half.

But a late strike from Everton midfielder Hanna Bennison, her first international goal, was enough to earn the Olympic silver medallists a crucial victory at Bramall Lane.

Despite Sweden dominating possession, their opponents, who had found the net twice in the opening five minutes of their 2-2 draw with Portugal, were quick out of the traps once again.

Indeed, the Swiss were awarded an early penalty at Bramall Lane when Noelle Maritz went down under the attentions of Magdalena Eriksson.

However, a VAR review eventually overturned referee Marta Huerta de Aza’s decision, with replays showing that Eriksson had made contact with the ball before catching her opponent.

It was Sweden’s turn to feel aggrieved soon after, with former City forward Kosovare Asllani convinced that Eseosa Aigbogun had handled her effort on goal inside the area.

The protests were waved away, but Asllani continued to offer a threat, almost pouncing on Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s dangerous ball to the far post after a corner situation.

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It was far from one-way traffic though, with a loose pass from Eriksson almost presenting Switzerland with an opening as the game ticked over the half-hour mark, but the rapidly retreating Nathalie Bjorn did enough to take the sting out of Bachmann’s effort from a tight angle.

Angeldahl and co.’s relative dominance continued after the break with Rolfo curling a dangerous effort just wide of the mark after picking up possession on the edge of the area.

And Sweden went even closer to breaking the deadlock when a fine ball over the top from Angeldahl released Blackstenius, but a heavy touch from the forward left her with too much to do, and her effort on goal had the sting taken out of it by a recovering Swiss defender.

The elusive opening goal would arrive soon after though, when more positive play from Angeldahl eventually saw Rolfo released down the left.

And the forward made no mistake, firing a low effort in at the near-post to open her account for the tournament and hand the Swedes a deserved lead.

However, Switzerland responded almost immediately when a dangerous ball into the box landed invitingly for Bachmann, with the forward rifling an unstoppable drive into the top corner.

Angeldahl was replaced ten minutes later by Everton’s Bennison, bringing an end to another hard-working display from the City midfielder.

Sweden went close to regaining their lead soon after when looping ball into the box was spilled by Swiss stopper Gaelle Thalmann, but Blackstenius’ instinctive poke towards goal was cleared off the line by Luana Buhler

And her nation’s efforts were rewarded late on when Bennison came off the bench to fire home from the edge of the box and restore their slender advantage.

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Sweden twice had the ball in the net again late on, both times courtesy of fellow substitute Rebecka Blomqvist, but VAR cut Angeldahl and co.’s celebrations short after spotting an offside in the buildup on each occasion.

Nonetheless, Peter Gerhardsson’s side held on to earn an important three points.

It means Sweden require a single point in their final Group C match against Portugal to progress to the next round.

The game gets under way at 17:00 (UK) this Sunday at the Leigh Sports Village, with a City-centric report available to digest soon after the final whistle.