Sweden's women's national football team started the World Cup qualifiers with a 1–0 away win against Italy. Debutant Bella Andersson delivered a strong performance in defense and shared an emotional moment with childhood friend Smilla Holmberg after the match. Filippa Angeldahl scored the decisive goal.
Sweden's women's national football team got off to a perfect start in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers with a 1–0 away victory against Italy on Tuesday, March 3, in Reggio Calabria. The goal came in the 22nd minute as Filippa Angeldahl fired a long-range shot assisted by Felicia Schröder after a quick counter. “It's probably not my best strike. But it's on target and in the corner. So incredibly relieving,” Angeldahl told SVT.
Despite head coach Tony Gustavsson's suspension, forcing him to watch from the stands, assistant Johanna Almgren led the team to victory. Gustavsson had emphasized the vision of the World Cup in Brazil beforehand: “We want to dream about Brazil. To have it as a vision and a dream. And to really dare to smell, look, visualize, and feel that 'that's where we want to go.'” The backline was unusually young due to injuries and retirements. Veterans Linda Sembrant and Magdalena Eriksson have retired, while Nathalie Björn and Amanda Ilestedt are injured.
Debutant Bella Andersson, 19 from Real Madrid, partnered with Elma Junttila Nelhage, 22 from Lyon in her fourth cap, at center-back. Smilla Holmberg, 19 from Arsenal in her tenth cap, started at right-back, and Hanna Lundkvist, 23 with 23 caps, at left-back. The backline's average age was 20.8 years. Andersson cleared a header off the line in the final minutes from Giulia Dragoni and made several secure tackles. Goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved a free kick from Martina Piemonte but earlier allowed a header onto the post.
Italy created more chances but failed to score, despite a strong overall performance. The win places Sweden at the top of the group, where first place secures a direct ticket to the World Cup. Denmark beat Serbia 3–1 in the other match. The next fixture is away against Serbia on Saturday.
After the final whistle, Andersson broke down in tears in the arms of Holmberg, her childhood best friend and former Hammarby teammate. “It's the best Tuesday of my life,” Andersson said. Holmberg: “Bella has been my best friend as long as I can remember. I wouldn't be here without her.” Almgren praised Andersson's courage: “Bella makes a very fine debut. And the whole backline... is a fine combo today.”
