Sweden Euro 2025 Starts with Angeldal Winner

Sweden Euro 2025 hopes received the perfect launchpad in Copenhagen as Peter Gerhardsson’s side ground out a controlled 1-0 victory over Denmark to open their qualifying campaign.

Sweden Euro 2025 Qualifier Decided by Midfield Maestro

Real Madrid playmaker Filippa Angeldal was the difference-maker all evening. Dictating tempo from the base of midfield, she completed 91 percent of her 78 passes and created four chances before popping up with the decisive strike in the 55th minute. Stina Blackstenius peeled into space on the right, slipped Johanna Rytting Kaneryd behind the Danish back line, and the winger’s cut-back found Angeldal arriving on the edge of the box. One calm side-foot later and Sweden led, silencing a partisan Parken crowd of 29,000.

First-Half VAR Drama Leaves Fans Frustrated

The opening period belonged to technology rather than slick football. A potential handball by Magdalena Eriksson inside the Swedish area sparked a three-minute VAR review. Spanish referee Marta Huerta eventually waved play on, but the lengthy pause sapped momentum. Denmark, seeking inspiration under new head coach Andrée Jeglertz, never truly recovered their early press after that interruption.

Angeldal Bosses Midfield Battle

Whenever Denmark attempted to play through Pernille Harder, Angeldal dropped deeper, screened her centre-backs, and intercepted passes. The Real Madrid star also recycled possession quickly, allowing Kosovare Asllani and Fridolina Rolfö to pull wider and drag Danish defenders out of shape. By full-time Angeldal had registered eight recoveries, three tackles, and the match-winning goal—numbers that underline why Gerhardsson has built Sweden Euro 2025 tactics around her metronomic presence.

Denmark Lack Cutting Edge Up Front

Jeglertz, appointed after Denmark’s disappointing World Cup exit, opted for a 4-3-3 with Harder roaming as a false nine. The plan produced pockets of promising build-up play, but crosses routinely missed target woman Amalie Vangsgaard, and Sweden’s central pairing of Eriksson and Nathalie Björn dominated aerial duels. Denmark’s best chance came on 72 minutes when substitute Mille Gejl flashed a header wide. By then Sweden had retreated into a compact 4-5-1 shell, daring the hosts to find ingenuity they ultimately lacked.

Key Stats

• Possession: Denmark 48 % – Sweden 52 %
• Shots on target: Denmark 1 – Sweden 4
• Expected goals (xG): Denmark 0.46 – Sweden 1.02
• Pass accuracy: Denmark 83 % – Sweden 88 %
• Angeldal touches: 103 (most on pitch)

What the Result Means for Sweden Euro 2025 Goals

With Poland and Germany still to come in Group C, three away points hand Sweden a valuable cushion. The Blågult know Germany will present the sternest examination, but winning in Copenhagen keeps qualification under their control and extends a proud run of clean sheets to five matches in competitive fixtures.

Gerhardsson Praises Professionalism

Speaking post-match, Gerhardsson hailed his players’ game management: “We spoke about staying calm if things became chaotic, and they did after the VAR break. Filippa’s goal was top class, but I’m just as pleased with how we defended the box in the final 20 minutes.”

Player Ratings

Sweden: Musovic 7; Andersson 7, Eriksson 8, Björn 7, Rubensson 7; Angeldal 9 (MOTM); Rytting Kaneryd 8, Asllani 7 (Schough 73′, 6), Rolfö 7; Blackstenius 7 (Janogy 81′, 6).
Denmark: Christensen 7; Holmgaard 6, Sevecke 6, Oestergaard 6, Boye 6; Madsen 6 (Bruun 70′, 6), Thogersen 6, Møller 6; Kühl 6 (Gejl 66′, 6), Harder 7, Vangsgaard 5 (Snerle 79′, 6).

Tactical Snapshot

1. Box Midfield: Sweden used a box-midfield out of possession, with Angeldal and Asllani screening while wingers tucked in. This choked passing lanes to Harder.
2. Full-Back Rotation: Jonna Andersson pushed high only when Rolfö drifted infield, ensuring at least three defenders always remained behind the ball.
3. Press Trigger: Sweden’s press ignited whenever Denmark played wide to right-back Rikke Sevecke, who struggled with distribution under pressure.

Upcoming Fixtures

Sweden host Poland next month, aiming to maintain momentum before the titanic clash with Germany. Denmark, meanwhile, travel to face the Germans in Munich, where Jeglertz’s attacking puzzle must find fast solutions.

Historical Head-to-Head

Sweden’s victory extends their unbeaten run against Denmark to five games, dating back to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. In that span the Scandinavians have scored eight goals and conceded just once.

Broadcast & Attendance Notes

The match was broadcast across Scandinavia on Viaplay, with UEFA reporting a global digital audience spike for opening-round qualifiers. Official attendance of 29,112 set a record for a women’s European qualifier staged in Denmark.

Injury Update

Sweden were without veteran centre-back Linda Sembrant, still recovering from a calf strain, while Denmark missed left-winger Signe Bruun through illness. Both are expected back before the June international window.

My Take

Angeldal’s assured display confirmed what many observers felt after the World Cup: Sweden have found the conductor capable of turning possession dominance into tangible results. If Gerhardsson can add a more ruthless edge in front of goal, Sweden Euro 2025 qualification should be a formality—and a deep run next summer feels well within reach.