Sweden vs. Wales player ratings: Man Utd star gets 9 and plenty of 8s after another historic draw

Wales recorded yet another statement result in their Nations League campaign, as they drew 1-1 with Sweden in Gothenburg.

Magdalena Eriksson gave the Swedes the lead on the hour mark, but Hannah Cain snatched a point away from the three-time World Cup bronze medallists.

Here’s how we rate the performance of every Wales player who stepped out onto the pitch against the Swedes in Gothenburg.

Wales player ratings vs Sweden

Safia Middleton-Patel: 9/10

It would be fair to say that, heading into the Euros, the vast majority of us thought Olivia Clark was the clear number one. After Tuesday night, that may not be the case. Middleton-Patel put in one of the greatest goalkeeping performances ever in a Wales shirt. The way she came out for crosses, her distribution, her shot stopping, it was a performance for the ages from the Manchester United youngster.

Rhiannon Roberts: 7/10

You know what you’re going to get with Razza, and Tuesday was another classic performance from the Real Betis defender. Most of Sweden’s chances came down the right. That’s because down the left, Fridolina Rölfo wasn’t having much success, and Roberts had a lot to do with that.

Gemma Evans: 7/10

There’s an aura to Evans when she puts on a Wales shirt. It’s rare that you see her get beat aerially, and not many attackers will find a way through her because her positioning is second to none. Like Roberts, you’re always guaranteed a solid game from Evans, and Tuesday night was no different.

Mayzee Davies: 8/10

It’s frankly pretty amazing how seamlessly Davies has fitted into senior football. Her first two starts for Wales were away against Italy and now away to Sweden. Two games where you have to be so alert and so aware of what’s going on, and Davies was on both occasions. It takes a very talented player to be able to do that.

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

Ella Powell: 7/10

Powell came in to fill the gap left by Ceri Holland. That’s not an easy thing to do, but she did it brilliantly. Against Sweden in Wrexham, I though the Bristol City wing back took a little bit of time to adjust to the game, but here, she was on it from minute one. She attacked when needed and fulfilled her defensive duties well too. Subbed off 63^rd minute.

Hayley Ladd: 8/10

The midfield duo were superb. Let’s begin with Ladd. An attacking midfielder like Kosovare Asllani wants to get forward and almost play in that ten role, but the Evertonian filled that space so well and made the London City Lionesses captain unable to play at her best, so much so, she was forced off.

Angharad James: 8/10

Then with James, it’s not easy to play slightly higher against the likes of Filippa Angeldahl who want to dictate play, but the way she hustled and harried them, in addition to playing smart passes and taking smart touches, they didn’t have much success.

Esther Morgan: 7/10

Esther Morgan, welcome back! The now Sheffield United full back played with plenty of energy and was always a willing runner down the flank and contributed to the attack effectively. Maybe she could have come back a little more to help contain Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, but overall, a very good and assured performance. Subbed off at half time.

Rachel Rowe: 8/10

Now, if Aitiana Bonmati or any Lioness plays that pass, it’s something that people would lose their minds over and repeat over and over again. The vision from Rowe was exemplary and her assist should be replayed! Other than that, her strength coupled with her direct runs made her a problem for the Swedish defence. Subbed off 90^th minute.

Elise Hughes: 7/10

Great to see Hughes back starting for Wales, and you can see what she adds to this side immediately. Physically, she can compete with any world-class defender, and her ability to bring her wingers and midfielders into play certainly helped Cymru press up the field. Subbed off 63^rd minute.

Carrie Jones: 8/10

Probably Wales’ best player in the first half. Had a willingness and an urge to make things happen, and that helped when she linked up with Hughes and Rowe. Her dribbling ability was also spot on, and she really made an impression against the country that she plays her club football in. Subbed off 74^th minute.

• EXCLUSIVE: Former Arsenal youngster opens up on her exit from the club

Lily Woodham: 6/10

Subbed on at half time. Picked up where Morgan left off and didn’t do much wrong. Liked the linkup she had with Ffion Morgan when she came on, but I thought she was perhaps a little cautious at times, which is understandable against a team like Sweden.

Hannah Cain: 7/10

Subbed on 63^rd minute. What a difference a few days make! When Cain ran through on goal in Gothenburg, I wonder if she had flashbacks to her opportunity against Denmark. I guess we will never know, but it was a super finish from the Leicester forward, who is becoming a player who can be depended on for Wilkinson.

Josie Green: 6/10

Subbed on 63^rd minute. Green played a little further up the pitch than we’ve become accustomed to, and it was refreshing! Maybe she didn’t have the impact she may have wanted when coming on but definitely helped close out the game for Wales.

Ffion Morgan: 6/10

Subbed on 74^th minute. Far better in a wing position. The way she can cut inside and harm defences from that position makes defenders worried. Could’ve scored a go-ahead goal with minutes remaining but wasn’t to be.

Charlie Estcourt: N/A

Subbed on 90^th minute. Wasn’t on the field long enough to make an impact but is now only two appearances away from reaching her half century.

Rhian Wilkinson: 9/10

It took a lot of guts to make so many changes against a footballing giant like Sweden, but Wilkinson did it, and it paid off. The team defended when needed, attacked when needed, and she made changes in order to win rather than hold onto a draw. One of Wilkinson’s best games tactically.

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)