Wales record another historic draw against Sweden out in Gothenburg

Wales secured yet another outstanding result in their Nations League campaign, this time drawing 1-1 with Sweden in Gothenburg.

Magdalena Eriksson had put Sweden ahead on the hour mark, but Hannah Cain secured the all-important equaliser eight minutes later. Wales relied on their defensive prowess, and the saves of Safia Middleton-Patel, late on to secure the draw, but it was a result that was fully deserved.

Wales stay bottom of the table, and are now four points behind Denmark in third, after they lost 3-0 at home to Italy.

Rhian Wilkinson elected to make a rather remarkable six changes from the side that lost to Denmark on Friday night. Among those to come into the eleven were goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel, Carrie Jones slotted in at left wing, while Elise Hughes led the line.

Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson only made two changes from the team that defeated Italy in their last game. Manchester United’s Anna Sandberg, along with midfielder Hanna Bennison, came in to replace Jonna Andersson and Julia Zigotti Olme.

Some in the Swedish media branded their draw up in Wrexham as ‘embarrassing’, therefore it perhaps wasn’t too big of a surprise that they came out with a lot of firepower in the first half. Hitting Wales on the counter, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd drove into the box, but as she tried to find the far corner, the ball trickled just wide of the post.

Barcelona’s Fridolina Rölfo was the next to go close, but her stinging strike was palmed away well by Middleton-Patel, an early confidence boost for the United keeper.

While Sweden had the better chances, Wales certainly weren’t sitting back on solely soaking up pressure. Wilkinson’s side had been able to get forward and were showing signs of threatening. Jones looked lively throughout the half, and she put in an inviting cross into the six-yard box, but no one in red could turn the ball home.

But at the end of the first half, two glorious chances fell Sweden’s way. Stina Blackstenius played through Rytting Kaneryd, but one-on-one with Middleton-Patel, she put the ball wide once more. Most of the Swedish crowd thought the ball had gone in.

Seconds later, another opportunity. Rytting Kaneryd’s cross found Filippa Angeldahl at the back post, but she fired the ball into the floor, with her attempt eventually going wide. At the break, despite conceding a few chances, Wales were certainly good value for the draw.

Young Wales stars ready and prepared to take on Europe’s best

Gerhardsson’s team clearly looked the most likely to score in the second half, and on the hour mark, they finally broke the deadlock. Angeldahl’s corner was met by the head of Magdalena Eriksson, who powered into the back of the net.

But, out of nothing, Wales scored a superb equaliser eight minutes later. Starting right at the back, Cymru played their way through into the midfield, before Rachel Rowe played a wonder pass through to Hannah Cain. In on goal, the Leicester forward showed great composure to skip past Jennifer Falk, before rolling the ball in. A pure footballing goal.

Suddenly, Wales smelt blood, and Wilkinson went for it. Ffion Morgan came on and she almost made an instant impact. Running onto Lily Woodham’s through ball, Morgan thundered into the box but fired straight at Falk. An opportunity missed.

That was clearly the wake-up call Sweden needed, as they set out to try and grab the win in front of their adoring fans. But Middleton-Patel was putting herself in front of everything being thrown at her. Firstly stopping Kaneryd, and then Matilda Vinberg, Wales’ young shot stopper was keeping Wales well and truly in the game.

Towards the end of the game, we saw the Wales of old come to play. Defensively strong and organised, Sweden couldn’t find a way through, and yet again, they couldn’t beat Cymru.

Next up for Wales will be a trip to Denmark. The game in Odense will take place on Friday May 30^th, with the game kicking off at 18:15.

Player of the Match: Safia Middleton-Patel

What an outstanding display from the Manchester United youngster. Time after time, she made blinding saves after blinding save to keep Wales in the game. Sweden never really took their foot off the gas, but Middleton-Patel was equal to everything being thrown at her. One of the best Welsh goalkeeping displays for some time.

Sweden

Jennifer Falk, Hanna Lundkvist (Amanda Ilestedt 89’), Nathalie Björn, Magdalena Eriksson, Anna Sandberg (Amanda Nildén 78’), Filippa Angeldahl, Kosovare Asllani © (Madelen Janogy 63’), Hanna Bennison (Julia Zigotti Olme 63’), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rölfo (Matilda Vinberg 78’)

Unused subs: Emma Holmgren, Tove Enblom, Linda Sembrant, Cornelia Kapocs, Sofia Jakobsson, Ellen Wangerheim, Hanna Wijk

Goals: Magdalena Eriksson (60’)

Yellows: Matilda Vinberg (90’)

Wales

Safia Middleton-Patel, Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Evans, Mayzee Davies, Ella Powell (Josie Green 63’), Hayley Ladd, Angharad James ©, Esther Morgan (Lily Woodham 46’), Rachel Rowe (Charlie Estcourt 90’), Elise Hughes (Hannah Cain 63’), Carrie Jones (Ffion Morgan 74’)

Unused subs: Poppy Soper, Olivia Clark, Tianna Teisar, Mary McAteer, Josie Longhurst, Lois Joel, Alice Griffiths

Goals: Hannah Cain (68’)

Yellows: Rhiannon Roberts (85’)

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)