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Sweden edges Serbia 1-0 to boost World Cup qualification hopes

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Key Points
  • Sweden won 1-0 against Serbia with Stina Blackstenius scoring the winning goal
  • Tony Gustavsson made lineup changes and substitutions, with Rosa Kafaji performing well
  • Sweden's recent form includes only two wins in eight attempts under Gustavsson

The match drew just over 20,000 spectators, and Sweden took command from the start, creating chances similar to their previous game against Denmark. Goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved Sweden from a deficit in the tenth minute with a double save, and Filippa Angeldahl's shot hit both the crossbar and the post. In a controversial moment, referee Désirée Blanco awarded Monica Juso Bah a yellow card for simulation instead of a penalty after she was fouled by a Serbian player.

Head coach Tony Gustavsson made two changes to the starting lineup compared to the match against Denmark earlier in the week, replacing Sofia Reidy with Hanna Lundqvist in defense and Rebecka Blomqvist with Matilda Vinberg in the forward line. He later substituted in Amanda Ilestedt and Rosa Kafaji in the second half, with Kafaji performing very well after entering the game. Under Gustavsson, Sweden has won only two out of eight attempts, and he was suspended during their first win against Italy.

In other tournament action, Denmark and Italy played to a 0-0 draw simultaneously, and Italy had beaten Serbia 6-0 a few days ago. Sweden still has good chances to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil based on the table position.

Corroborated
Göteborgs-PostenSportbladet
2 publications · 3 sources
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Sweden edges Serbia 1-0 to boost World Cup qualification hopes | Reed News