Scotland 0-2 Sweden: The Scots managed Olympic silver medalists
Scotland suffered a first defeat under head coach Pedro Martinez Losa after a narrow reverse against Olympic silver medalists Sweden in Paisley.
Sweden – now unbeaten in 22 games in 90 minutes – scored in the second half from substitute Fridolina Rolfo and an own goal for Sophie Howard.
Scotland mostly defended effectively in windy conditions, while struggling to create clear chances.
It is the first defeat in four matches under Martinez Losa.
Sweden – despite making 10 changes – represented a significant step up in quality compared to Hungary and the Faroe Islands, Scotland’s defeated opponents so far under their new Spanish head coach in the World Cup qualifiers.
When Scotland tried to expand from the hill, the visitors pressed them smartly to force mistakes and went close twice before the break.
Anna Anvegard hooked a shot on the crossbar from a tight angle after Rachel Corsie’s tough clearance, and Erin Cuthbert somehow cleared a shot from a blank spot off the line after a loose pass from the defense.
Martinez Losa made five changes to the page when he tried to investigate different alternatives early in his time and, even though they were relatively comfortable in defense, they struggled to assert themselves in Sweden’s box.
Caroline Weir’s tame long range shot and Cuthbert’s free kick on goal were as close as they got, even though they came close to some clearer openings before not finding the final shot or pass at the crucial moment.
A draw would have been a credible result, but since Sweden took more of their first-time players off the bench, they got the breakthrough.
Rolfo’s winner was impressive, as she smashed the ball over Jenna Fife from the edge of the box with too much force for the goalkeeper to prevent it from crawling into the top corner.
And another jumper Sofia Jakobssen also made a decisive effort when she drove down to the left and whipped in a difficult cross, which Howard could only turn into his own net.
Player of the Match – Lucy Graham
What did we learn?
Scotland are aiming to move to a more possession-based game, which was obvious again as they were constantly short of goal kicks and looked to build from behind.
The conditions made life difficult and in the first half with the wind against them, Scotland was often forced into mistakes by Sweden’s smart pressure.
When they managed to move the ball through the threes, the home team looked nice enough without threatening regularly, and the passing speed is something that Martinez Losa will try to work on to disrupt better resistance.
What they said
Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: “I think this was our best match. The performance was outstanding against one of the best teams in the world. We matched them in many areas of the game.
“The players implemented the tactical game plan to perfection, but in friendly matches when making changes, and they put on their best players at the end which is part of the game.”
Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir: “We gave them a good challenge. There were lots of positive things to take. We did well at times, it was difficult sometimes we were under a lot of pressure.
“But we knew we had to take it. Overall, we are happy with parts of the performance and there are pieces to grow on.”
What comes next?
Scotland will resume their World Cup qualifying campaign next month in a decisive double goal starting with Ukraine in Hampden on November 26 (19:35 GMT), followed by a trip to Sevilla four days later to face group leaders Spain.
Lineups
Scotland
Formation 4-3-3
- 12Fife
- 8Boyle
- 4CorsieReplaced forClarkon 76 ‘minutes
- 5BeattieReplaced forHowardon 45 ‘minutes
- 14ArthurReplaced forRobertsonon 61 ‘minutes
- 22Cuthbert
- 10Graham
- 9DamReplaced forNesson 77 ‘minutes
- 11Evans
- 7GrimshawReplaced forRosson 76 ‘minutes
- 18EmslieReplaced forHansonon 63 ‘minutes
Substitute
- 2McLauchlan
- 3Docherty
- 6Robertson
- 13Ross
- 15Howard
- 16Clark
- 17Hanson
- 20Davidson
- 21Cumings
- 23Ness
- 24Muir
- 25Eddie
Sweden
Formation 3-4-3
- 12Falcon
- 5FischerReplaced forErikssonon 58 ‘minutes
- 17Berglund
- 3Kullberg
- 23Rubensson
- 16AngeldalReplaced forBennisonon 70 ‘minutes
- 25Curmark
- 22SchoughReplaced forRolföon 70 ‘minutes
- 24BlomqvistReplaced forFaston 88 ‘minutes
- 19AnvegardReplaced forJakobssonon 70 ‘minutes
- 7JanogyReplaced forRiding Kanerydon 45 ‘minutes
Substitute
- 1Lindahl
- 2Andersson
- 4Glass
- 6Eriksson
- 8Fast
- 9Riding Kaneryd
- 10Jakobsson
- 13Ilestedt
- 14Bear
- 15Zigiotti Olme
- 18Rolfö
- 20Bennison
Live text
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The match ends, Scotland 0, Sweden 2.
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Second half ends, Scotland 0, Sweden 2.
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Filippa Curmark (Sverige) wins a free kick in the offensive half.
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Error by Kirsty Hanson (Scotland).
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Corner, Sweden. Developed by Lucy Graham.
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Try failed. Fridolina Rolfö (Sweden) shot with her left foot from the right side of the penalty area just a little too high. Assisted by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
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Byte, Sweden. Lina Hurtig replaces Rebecka Blomqvist.
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Own goal by Sophie Howard, Scotland. Scotland 0, Sweden 2.
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Ugly by Emma Kullberg (Sweden).
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Erin Cuthbert (Scotland) wins a free kick in his own half.
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Corner, Sweden. Developed by Jenna Clark.
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Corner, Sweden. Developed by Jenna Clark.
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Try to save. Erin Cuthbert (Scotland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top center of the goal.
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Ugly by Hanna Bennison (Sweden).
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Erin Cuthbert (Scotland) wins a free kick in the offensive half.
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Error by Filippa Curmark (Sweden).
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Erin Cuthbert (Scotland) wins a free kick in his own half.
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Byte, Scotland. Zoe Ness replaces Caroline Weir.
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Byte, Scotland. Jenna Clark replaces Rachel Corsie.
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Byte, Scotland. Jane Ross replaces Christy Grimshaw.