Welcome, all, to our live coverage of tonight’s World Cup qualifier between Sweden and the Republic of Ireland from Gothenburg. 

Much was made of the giant, Sky-sponsored advert for the Irish team at Dublin airport this week – accompanied by a message to ‘Outbelieve’, the corporate world’s latest attack on the English language – but it has some significance. It’s only a few years since the Irish players were changing out of leased tracksuits in the toilets of that same airport, so it’s a neat measure of the journey travelled since then. 

Anything bar defeat in Gothenburg tonight would represent a giant leap forward. Sweden are among the best teams in the world, and are playing in front of a record crowd in a game from which they need only a draw to qualify automatically for the 2023 World Cup. 

Ireland, meanwhile, are firmly in the play-off hunt: level on points with Finland in second spot, with this their rather daunting game in hand. Later fixtures with Finland and Slovakia will be decisive, with anything to be gleaned from tonight a whopper bonus.  

Kick off is at 5.30pm, and stick with us: team news follows next.

Team News 

Ireland

Ireland come into this game facing a kind of defensive crisis, with centre-backs Savannah McCarthy and Diane Caldwell absent with injury. Rather than change from her back-three system, it seems Vera Pauw will stick to the formation with Chloe Mustaki slotting in at left centre-back. 

It’s her first competitive start and caps an astonishing, affirming comeback story. 

Jamie Finn comes in and will likely play at right wing-back, with Heather Payne back to perform what will be an exhausting, arduous night as Ireland’s sole striker. Katie McCabe will probably line out at left wing-back. 

Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Jamie Finn; Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Chloe Mustaki; Katie McCabe (captain); Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn; Denise O’Sullivan, Lucy Quinn; Heather Payne 

Sweden

Sweden’s superstars have assembled: keep an eye out for centre-back Magdalena Eriksson, captain Caroline Seger, and forward Stina Blackstenhuis. 

Filippa Angeldal and Fridolina Rolfo have been suffering from Covid and only make the bench. 

Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl; Hanna Glas; Amanda Ilestedt, Linda Sembrant, Magdalena Eriksson; Jonna Andersson; Caroline Seger (captain), Hanna Bennison; Kosovare Asllani, Lina Hurtig, Stina Blackstenuis 

If you want to learn more as to why Chloe Mustaki’s selection is such a good story – have a read of this. 

A reminder of how the group stands ahead of kick-off. 

An update on the Irish team news – Vera Pauw has told RTÉ that Megan Connolly will drop back from midfield and into the void in central defence, with Mustaki at left wing-back and Katie McCabe in central midfield. It is, at least partly, a ploy to get Katie McCabe higher up the pitch. 

You may have seen the build-up to this game feature a truly magnificent turn of confidence by the Swedes, with the launch of a new kit stitched with a gameplan of how to beat them. It’s all published on a Ronsealesque site, HowToStopSweden.com. 

The Irish camp didn’t bite when the question was dangled before them at the pre-game press conference. 

“Thanks very much to Sweden, but we have Andy,” Vera Pauw smiled with a nod to the Republic of Ireland women’s national team’s performance analyst Andy Holt.

“To confirm: we have not purchased the shirt,” captain Katie McCabe added with a smirk.

“I seen the jersey, how to stop them, or whatever like that,” Arsenal star McCabe nodded during this evening’s pre-match press conference at Gamla Ullevi Stadium.

“It’s an interesting release from them. Obviously they’re in a good place; they’re on the brink of qualification and they’ve got a Euros coming up in the summer time. It’s a confident move, I would say. That’s all I’ve got to say on that.”

“Let’s not forget that Sweden is a powerhouse of women’s football,” the Dutch coach continued. “Back in 1982, they were at the first European Championships. They have always been at the top.”

If you’re wondering where Sweden get their confidence from? 

Well, they come into this game after a 15-0 win away to Georgia. 

Okay the teams are on the pitch, now standing for the anthems for having just stood in solidarity with Ukraine. 

Kick-off is just minutes away….can Ireland pull off one of the great upsets? 

Peeeeeep! 

We are underway in Gothenburg. With a solitary ‘Save Tolka Park’ flag among a packed crowd. 

There’s a party atmosphere around the stadium, which Ireland will aim to spoil.  

2′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

McCabe is indeed playing slightly further up, though its all relative: Ireland are dropping off into a pretty deep 5-4-1 without possession. 

4′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland

Sweden have superb technical quality but they are also pretty physical: Niamh Fahey and McCabe have picked up frees for being shunted around so far. 

5′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Eriksson pings an Alexander-Arnold-style cross-field pass to try and unpick Ireland’s deep block, but Mustaki reads it well and intercepts. The spell of pressure ends when Littlejohn is fouled. 

6′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

A good moment for Ireland. Lucy Quinn wins the ball in midfield and pushes a lovely pass down the left for McCabe, whose cross for O’Sullivan is delightful but not controlled under pressure in the box. Proof why pushing McCabe higher might pay-off for Ireland. 

8′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Lucy Quinn gives possession away but Ireland win it back, at which point Hurtig collides with Quinn when winning the ball back. The referee bafflingly gives a free-kick to Sweden, so Ireland have some defending to do…

9′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

The free-kick is floated to the back post for Eriksson, but it’s too far ahead of her and collected by Courtney Brosnan. 

A free-kick for offside is given, which Brosnan takes her sweet time over. 

Finland are currently beating poor Georgia 5-0, which is in the realm of moral victory for Georgia given some of their other results in this group. 

11′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Sweden’s Hanna Bennison is booked for catching Denise O’Sullivan quite high above her ankle. O’Sullivan stays on the ground writhing in pain, but she finally picks herself up and is thankfully okay to continue. 

15′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Ireland are so far sitting stolidly in their 5-4-1, with Sweden searching for openings. Blackstenhuis is played in behind the Irish defence by a delightful pass, but Brosnan is alert and comes off her line to gather possession. This game will be exhausting for Ireland, physically but also mentally: this will be 90-plus minutes in which everyone will have to maintain concentration all the time. 

18′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Ireland relieve some pressure thanks to a fabulous O’Sullivan nutmeg in midfield. She picks out Heather Payne, who takes a couple of touches to bring McCabe into play, whose return through-ball for Payne is just too far ahead of her. That’s better by Ireland: less taxing than just booting the ball clear. 

19′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland

Blackstenius forces a corner off Mustaki – Sweden’s first. 

Brosnan gets a light touch to the set-piece and it bounces ideally in the box for Seger, whose shot it blocked by Louise Quinn. 

23′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Ireland do a really good job of playing out of trouble under a high Swedish press – Mustkai, Connolly, Quinn all combining neatly – but the move founders with a loose pass into midfield to Lucy Quinn. 

That’s encouraging from Ireland nonetheless. 

24′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Sweden up the ante: Ireland are burned down the left and Jonna Andersson whips a ball into the box, where Hurtig is caught under the ball and heads over from about three yards. Megan Connolly might claim a bit of credit for putting her under pressure. 

29′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland

Sweden pull the Irish defensive block back and forth across the field until they stab a ball down the right flank for Hanna Glas, whose cross is deep and clawed away by Brosnan. It’s all Sweden now. 

31′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Andersson’s cross is not-too-convincingly cleared by Mustaki, but McCabe pounces first and hacks the ball clear…only for it to come right back at them again. Sweden turning the screw now…

32′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Off the bar! 

Eeeeeek. Sweden are turning it on now, and Bennison carves the Irish defence open brilliantly to present Aslani one-on-one with Brosnan in the box. She beats the goalkeeper but sees her shot bounce off the crossbar. 

This is relentless from Sweden now. 

35′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Bennison pushes a header behind the Irish defence for Blackstenius, who is tugged back in the box by Connolly in the box. There is a brief terror as the referee’s whistle goes…for offside. 

Another minute survived. 

37′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

Another scare: Jamie Finn’s clearance is blocked down, Asllani is found in the box and O’Sullivan throws herself at the shot. Ireland can’t get out of their penalty area now. 

38′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland

Ireland aren’t so much under the cosh as buried a few miles beneath it. 

McCabe does well to sweep across to win a goal kick off Blackstenuis after she ghosted by Mustaki on the endline. 

Most of Sweden’s attacks are coming down Ireland’s left: they have definitely targeted that area, given the injury upheaval. 

39′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

McCabe brilliantly holds the ball up, swivels and shoots from the edge of the area. It’s comfortable for the Swedish goalkeeper but it’s Ireland’s first shot on target a moment of blessed relief from defending. 

40′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland

Sweden reply by once again targeting Mustaki: twice they cross from that zone and twice Ireland deal with the danger. 

Can they make it half-time like this? 

42′ – Sweden 0-0 Ireland 

The Swedes are brilliant but also deeply cynical: an Irish break – three on three – is thwarted by Eriksson’s pulling O’Sullivan toward her in a tackle best described as rugby-adjacent. 

Eriksson is booked; Ireland have a free-kick. 

GOOOOAAAALLLL! 

Katie McCabe!! 

44′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Oh my God. Ireland work the free-kick well: McCabe out wide to Connolly who hoists the ball into the box. They half-clear but only to McCabe, whose shot from the edge of the box is deflected beyond the Swedish ‘keeper. 

Scenes!! 

One minute added at the end of the first half. 

HT: Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Well, against all the odds, Ireland lead  at half-time. McCabe’s shot was deflected, but it was a result of Ireland’s ingenuity on set-pieces and the cynicism of the Magdalena Eriksson to concede the set piece in the first place. 

Ireland have relied on some luck but they have battled to a place worthy of profiting it. 

There’s a long way to go here, but Ireland now have sight of a truly famous victory. 

We’re going to draw breath, back in 10. 

Perhaps this was foretold by the Swedish jersey. 

Sweden 0-1 Ireland – Katie McCabe gives the visitors a shock lead against the World No. 2 side. Vera Pauw’s side hit the front just before the break #rtesoccer #SWEIRL

We’re underway in the second half! 

No changes for either side. 

46′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland

Niamh Fahey gets a telling-off from the referee from taking too long over a free-kick. 

That’ll do. 

47′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Eriksson hoiks a ball forward for Blackstenius who finds space between Fahey and Louise Quinn, but she can’t control and Brosnan gathers gratefully. 

50′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Lengthy period of Swedish possession, ends with Ireland defending the many crosses that came their way. They boot the ball clear and Sweden come back at them once again. 

This will be the game’s pattern from hence…

50′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Lovely flick by Andersson beats Finn on the left wing, and her excellent cross into the box is met with a whistle: Hurtig shoved Quinn in the back and Ireland have a free-kick. 

Brosnan uses the opportunity to eat away at another few seconds. 

51′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Asllani skates down the right flank and her cross is confidently claimed by Brosnan. Good goalkeeping. 

52′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Excellent hold-up play by Payne down the left wing, the ball breaks for McCabe to stride to the endline, and she wins Ireland’s first corner. 

53′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland

Aargh – McCabe’s corner delivery is terrible. She tried to ping it back to an Irish player on the edge of the box but miscues and it’s easily cleared. 

55′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland

Yikes. The ball breaks in the box for Glas, who is in oceans of room in the box behind McCabe, who sprints back and blocks the attempted cutback. 

Corner Sweden. 

57′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Sweden send for the cavalry: Angeldal and Rolfo are brought on from the bench. Ireland, though, defend the corner and the lead is still intact. 

58′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Angeldal slings a wonderful cross into the box but Brosnan is confident once again, coming out to fist the ball clear. The move ends in another Swedish corner, that is cleared at the second attempt. 

Sweden have committed another attacker to the pitch and the pressure is ratcheting up further….but Ireland are still standing firm. 

61′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Off the bar again! 

And what a save by Brosnan! 

Wonderful play from Sweden, Rolfo’s shot from the right of the box is heading for the top corner, but Brosnan claws the ball onto the bar. Superb save.

63′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Audacious Asllani nutmeg on Lucy Quinn; but Ireland then defend their lines again, featuring a very satisfying Mustaki challenge on Glas. Mustaki has been targeted but boy, is she tenacious. Ireland then get a break when McCabe is fouled. 

64′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

That free-kick went long, but it broke for McCabe, who strode forward and then went to the ground in the box. The referee is unmoved. 

Replays suggest it would have been a soft spot kick. But Ireland regrouped quickly and didn’t get caught on the counter, funnelling back quickly and frustrating Sweden to the point Blackstenius shoots tamely wide from range. 

66′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland

Mustaki caught slightly far forward but O’Sullivan shuttles across and wins a free-kick. Excellent discipline from Ireland. 

66′ -  Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Louise Quinn is caught by Blackstenius’ elbow and takes the opportunity to get treatment and give everyone a break. 

This may be the our first minute-by-minute in which it’s felt like the minutes are going backwards. 

This is…becoming slightly real now. 

69′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Brilliant work from Payne, chases down a lost cause and forces Eriksson to concede a throw-in by the endline.

In the end McCabe’s cross is easily gathered by the Swedish goalkeeper, but it’s another minute off this dastardly clock. 

71′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Hurtig meets a wonderful Glas cross but Fahey reads her step-for-step and intercepts before there’s any danger. Brosnan is then dominant once again as she strides out to collect the next Swedish cross. 

72′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Oh my word. Blackstenius misses a sitter. Brosnan misjudges a cross for the first time, Blackstenius ghosts between Louise Quinn and Brosnan but heads over from six yards. 

Let-off. 

74′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

The Irish defence are briefly pushed up the pitch and Sweden try to capitalise instantly, with Rolfo’s sprint behind picked out instantly. Her pull-back to the edge of the box, though, is brilliantly intercepted by the backtracking Littlejohn. We haven’t mentioned her often but her positioning has been so disciplined today.

Pauw plays her first card: Leanne Kiernan on for Heather Payne. 

75′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland

Yikes. Another wonderful Rolfo cross from the half-space to the right but Hurtig heads wide from six yards. 

15 minutes that will feel like five hours to go. 

76′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Sweden have another corner. 

Asllani’s set-piece is horrible to deal with but McCabe does, looping it over her own crossbar at the near post. Another corner to deal with…and this time Finn meets it at the near post and Ireland clear. 

77′ – Sweden 0-1 Ireland 

Nathalie Bjorn and Olivia Shough on for Sweden, with Hurtig and Glas off. 

GOAL! 

Sweden 1-1 Ireland

Gah. 

Ireland are finally undone. And it’s a wonderful goal by Sweden: a cross-field pass for Shough, who steers the ball first-time across for Asllani, who volleys beyond Brosnan. 

82′ – Sweden 1-1 Ireland 

That is gutting for Ireland: it came after some high pressing from Kiernan, McCabe and O’Sullivan, but Sweden broke it and then pinged a gorgeous switch-of-play from which Ireland were devastatingly punished. 

A draw would still be a great result for Ireland and Sweden only need a point to qualify…but they seem to be going for the win regardless. Which, though professional, is rather thoughtless of them. 

83′ – Sweden 1-1 Ireland 

Rolfo lets rip from outside the box but Brosnan gets down low to her left and makes the save. 

87′ – Sweden 1-1 Ireland 

Ball into the penalty area for Seger, but her headed contact is tame and easily gathered by Brosnan. 

88′ – Sweden 1-1 Ireland 

Slick Swedish passing works the ball from left to right but Connolly clears. O’Sullivan is then fouled and Ireland get a breather. 

This would still be a big, big point for Ireland if they can hang on. 

89′ – Sweden 1-1 Ireland 

Bjorn darts down the right and sees her cross plucked from the air by the brilliant Brosnan. 

She’s a contender but RTÉ have given Player of the Match to McCabe.  Not unjustly. 

Three minutes to be added on. 

Three minutes to cling onto a point….

90+1′ – Sweden 1-1 Ireland 

Schough tries to curl a spectacular effort from range but it flies wide. 

90+2′ – Sweden 1-1 Ireland

Eriksson’s cross is headed away by Connolly, but Sweden come yet again. Rolfo plays a one-two with Asllani and then skies her return shot. A minute to go, Ireland are almost home. 

90+3′ – Sweden 1-1 Ireland 

Fahey clatters Allsani on the edge of the box…and the referee gives Sweden a free-kick. It’s central, it’s within range…and it’s the game’s final act. 

Here goes… 

FT: Sweden 1-1 Ireland 

Angeldal’s free-kick is deflected, but there’s no time for a corner! 

It’s all over, and Ireland have a draw! 

It’s leavened with some disappointment given they led for so long, but that’s a significant result for Ireland in the chase for the play-offs. Nobody else has taken points off Sweden thus far,  so Ireland’s campaign has been given a major boost as the finishing line comes within sight. 

Sweden are brilliant and have now qualified…Ireland are very much in the chase to join them. 

Thanks for following – report and reaction from Sweden to come!