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- Sweden played an almost perfect game
- Remain unbeaten in the group stage
- Germany‘s leaky defence let them down
Sometimes, morning does not show the day and the Germans learnt it the hard way. However, it was an end-to-end start to the match, and the Germans drew first blood through Jule Brand. It was a sensational team move, which Lea Schuller started. She swiftly passed it to the right flank for Carlotta Wamser, who drilled in a pass for Brand, and the Wolfsburg forward made no mistake to ripple the net. However, their joy was short-lived as Blackstenius equalised in the 12th minute. The Arsenal forward found acres of space in front of her, and after striding down the pitch, she placed her shot with perfection, leaving Berger rooted to her spot.
Sweden found a spring in their step after getting the equaliser, and in the 25th minute, they had their noses in front. A lung-bursting run from the right flank by Smilla Hilma Holmberg left several German defenders chasing shadows. Sarai Linder put in a last-ditch tackle to stop her from shooting, but after a strange deflection off both players, the ball flew through the top-right corner and into the net.
Five minutes later, another defensive lapse and a brain fade moment from Wasmer put Sweden firmly in the driving seat. Fridolina Rolfo had a crack at goal from 12 yards, and Wamser, who was on the line, stopped her effort from going in with both her hands. The referee had no choice but to flash a red card and award a penalty to Sweden. Rolfo took the responsibility from the penalty spot and calmly slotted past Berger to make it 3-1.
After sealing a two-goal advantage, Sweden went into game management mode. They dominated proceedings, made their opponents chase, and waited for the opportune moment to attack the German goal. There was little synergy among the German defenders, which left gaping spaces at the back. And a ruthless Swedish side scored the fourth in the 80th minute to put the final nail in the coffin. Nonetheless, despite a disastrous night, Germany advanced to the knockout stages after finishing second in Group C behind Sweden, who boast of having a perfect record.
Arsenal star Blackstenius had a brilliant game once again and could have well won the MVP award, but for Holmberg. The right back’s sensational run and the subsequent finish, although a bit fortuitous, were the highlight of the match. A deserving candidate.
This was Germany’s heaviest defeat in the Euros, as they had never conceded four goals in a single match in the finals. On the other hand, the victory marked Sweden’s first triumph over the Germans in six attempts.
Wamser was sent off in the 30th minute, and Germany’s challenge fell flat against a robust Swedish side. They were struggling to match the intensity of Peter Gerhardsson’s troops with 11 women, and after going down to 10, they put in a meek surrender. An error in judgment from Wamser, and it was game, set and match for Sweden.
After emerging as group winners, Sweden will face the runner-up of Group C on July 17. Whereas Germany will be in action two days later against the winners of Group D in Basel.
