Here’s Nick Ames’ verdict from Lucerne:
Sweden are purring and will fear nobody in the knockouts. This was a routine victory and, make no mistake, tougher tests lie ahead than the obstacle posed by a limited Poland. The underdogs could, and really should, have been put far out of sight before Lina Hurtig completed the scoring. Nonetheless they will top Group C if they avoid defeat against Germany and, with Stina Blackstenius and Kosovare Asllani opening their accounts either side of the break, have enough stars hitting form to sense opportunity knocking.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd has been named player of the match by Uefa. Their technical observer group said the Chelsea star “was at the heart of everything positive for Sweden on the right; her creativity was electrifying. She had the most dribbles into the box, played the most passes into the area and created the most chances.” Fair play.
As it stands, a draw in Zurich on Saturday would see Sweden top the group – and while their quarter-final would most likely be against England or the Netherlands, it would leave Germany and Spain on the other side of the draw. Anyway, one game at a time.
Had that late Poland effort gone in, Sweden and Germany would be tied on six points, four goals scored and one conceded – which would have meant that if their final group game was drawn, penalties would be needed to crown a group winner.
Full time: Poland 0-3 Sweden
The final whistle goes, Poland narrowly denied a consolation at the death. There’s no question that Sweden deserved that margin of victory – and it edges them above Germany on goal difference. More immediately, this result sends Sweden and Germany through to the quarter-finals, while Poland and Denmark are heading home.
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93 mins: Poland hit the post! This would have been the best goal of the lot. Milena Kokosz cuts in from the right and smashes an effort towards the top corner – but with Falk nowhere near it, the ball crashes off the post and away!
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91 mins: Wangerheim tries to break into the area from the left but is tackled well by Matysik, probably Poland’s standout player tonight.
90 mins: Four added minutes.
89 mins: Angeldahl hits the free kick over a false Swedish wall that collectively ducks. The ball swerves and dips in front of Szemik, and the Poland keeper does well to punch the ball away from danger.
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88 mins: Kamczyk takes a free kick which curls towards goal, but is easy enough for Falk. At the other end, Szymczak is booked for a clumsy foul on the edge of the area …
86 mins: Kokosz has a shot which takes a big deflection and loops perilously close to Falk’s near post. Poland are seeking a historic first Euros goal, and one that would put Germany and Sweden dead-level on goal difference and goals scored.
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84 mins: Another Swedish change as 20-year-old Ellen Wangerheim replaces Blackstenius. Sweden’s fans are chanting about winning their first title since 1984 – they’ve enjoyed this performance.
82 mins: Asllani miscues a shot from a corner as Sweden keep pushing. Poland’s starters would probably quite like to hear the final whistle.
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“I think Peter Flint is being a bit harsh on Blackstenius,” writes Brian Rafferty. “Eight shots, three on target, one goal, in one game. That’s pretty much what Rasmus Højlund achieved for Manchester United in an entire season.” Honk!
80 mins: Another half-chance for Blackstenius, whose shot on the turn is deflected back to Szemik.
78 mins: Two more Poland changes: Milena Kokosz and Weronika Zawistowska replacing Achcinska and Tomasiak.
GOAL! Poland 0-3 Sweden (Hurtig 77')
Jonna Andersson’s corner is indeed headed home, but it’s Lina Hurtig who gets the goal! She’s mobbed by teammates, that goal crowning a return after 18 months out of the national team.
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76 mins: Janogy is replaced by Rolfo, who’s on in time to get involved with a Sweden corner …
75 mins: Sweden’s quest for more goals is about to get a boost – Fridolina Rolfo is coming on. Still time for Poland to cut the deficit, though. Kamczyk runs forward and finds Padilla, whose cross is claimed by Falk with Pajor crowded by about five blue shirts.
74 mins: Kamczyk takes aim from 25 yards out, but her effort is neither cross nor shot and floats beyond Falk’s goal.
72 mins: Another Swedish cross squirms its way to Kaneryd, who can’t get a shot away under pressure.
70 mins: A tough day at the office for Martyna Wiankowska comes to an end; she’s replaced by Wiktoria Zieniewicz, who plays her football in Switzerland, with Basel.
“Stina Blackstenius is a very, very good striker – but if her finishing was as good as her positional sense she would be the best in the world,” writes Peter Flint. It’s not been her most clinical display – she’s had eight shots, but just three on target.
67 mins: Asllani and Zigiotti Olme, who have collectively locked down the midfield today, are heading off – replaced by Hanna Bennison and Lina Hurtig, in a sign of Sweden’s strength in depth.
65 mins: Sweden are mixing things up with a couple of crosses down the left – the first is blocked by Matysik, the second headed wide by Amanda Ilestedt.
61 mins: Kaneryd finds space on the right and cuts back to Blackstenius – hey, if it ain’t broke – but the Arsenal forward sends her shot high into the side netting.
59 mins: Szemik goes up for the ball and spills it, with Zigiotti Olme toe-poking the ball home – but the midfielder is penalised for a push on the keeper. Probably just about enough in that to award the free kick.
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58 mins: Blackstenius advances on goal with Wos struggling to get back, but eventually doing enough to deflect her shot behind. From the corner, the ball’s in the net …
57 mins: What could help Sweden go further at these Euros is topping their group – and if they can add another goal, they would only need to draw with Germany in their final game to do so. Easier said than done, of course.
Kari Tulinius writes: “In every major tournament of the last decade, I look at Sweden and think that they look settled, talented and have a clear plan, and feel that they’ll go home with the gold. This time around I had decided I wouldn’t fall into that trap again, that I’d finally learned my lesson. But now, with Blackstenius in great form, a really balanced midfield and solid defence, I find myself thinking that this could finally be their year. Clearly I never learn.”
I feel for the Polish left-back Wiankowska, who has been left with no help up against Kaneryd and co – Sweden have targeted that side and scored twice from crosses from the right side. This time, Poland’s defence were carved open by a smart one-two between Kaneryd and Angeldahl, and Asllani did the rest.
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GOAL! Poland 0-2 Sweden (Asllani 52')
Just as Polish fans were beginning to hope, Kaneryd floats in another lovely cross from the right, and this time, Asllani is there to head home!
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51 mins: The corner is cleared, but there are some positive signs for Poland with the two substitutes, who both started against Germany, making an impact.
49 mins: Pajor quickly involved again, her shot on the turn blocked and Padilla’s low effort deflected behind. More attacking threat from Poland in two minutes here than in the entire first half …
48 mins: Pajor carries the ball upfield and her shot deflects into Falk’s arms, with Padilla lurking.
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47 mins: Again, Sweden work the ball into the box quickly, where Blackstenius’ shot is blocked. They’re almost trying to walk it in, but then Poland break …
46 mins: Rytting Kaneryd whips in another dangerous cross from the right, which Szemik parries away under pressure.
Second half
Two half-time changes for Poland: Ewelina Kamczyk and Natalia Padilla are on for Krezyman and Grabowska. For Sweden, Jonna Andersson is on for Nilden, who picked up an injury in the first half.
Wales are facing France in St Gallen – but were left “shaken” when their team bus was involved in a collision with a car on their way to training.
Tomorrow, it’s England v the Netherlands – and Vivianne Miedema is going up against her partner, Beth Mead. Does the Dutch forward have mixed feelings? Not really …
A half-time plug for our exceptional interactive player-by-player guide.
Half time: Poland 0-1 Sweden
Janogy spins away from Matysik and into space but is (harshly) penalised to deny Sweden one more break. They could have had three or four goals, but have just the one Stina Blackstenius goal to show for their dominance so far.
47 mins: Pajor does get into the area to meet a cross, but it’s claimed by Falk, who is then bumped to the floor by the Polish striker.
46 mins: Pajor is penalised for a foul; she’s feeling frustrated, having been unable to get involved in the game.
45 mins: Three added minutes. Sweden have put in 23 crosses in the first-half. They’ve got a strategy, and they’re sticking with it.
44 mins: Rytting Kaneryd floats in a cross and despite the attentions of two centre-backs, Blackstenius gets her head to the ball first – but sends her header over the bar!
42 mins: Big chance for Sweden! Bjorn reads Wos’s attempted pass upfield and plays in Blackstenius, who’s onside and one-on-one. Her shot is undercooked, though, and Szemik is able to turn it behind!
40 mins: Amanda Nilden, who didn’t feature in Sweden’s first game, stays down after a collision with Tomasiak. Jonna Andersson is sent from the subs’ bench to warm up, just in case.
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39 mins: We’re back under way, Asllani trying but failing to race on to a long ball, with Wos shepherding it out of play.
37 mins: Sylwia Matysik goes down after a clash of heads with Janogy. While she receives treatment, both sets of players grab a drinks break.
36 mins: The one-way traffic continues with Rytting Kanerud unable to get her shot away under pressure. Poland have defended their area well, the trouble is that Sweden are getting there all too often.
34 mins: As I type that, Blackstenius turns sharply in the box and hits a shot that might have crept in, were it not for a slight deflection off Wos. Sweden corner, but the whistle blows for a foul on Poland’s keeper, Kinga Szemik.
32 mins: Matysik tackles left-back Nilden and the throw-in goes Poland’s way. They need to try and keep this to a one-goal deficit at half-time …
31 mins: On the goal – Sweden have looked to overload down the right flank, with Asllani, Angeldahl and Kaneryd taking turns to push forward. It felt like the best route to break Poland down, and has paid off inside half an hour.
30 mins: Pajor and Asllani grapple for the ball and the Sweden captain is booked – harshly, I would suggest, given that Pajor was the first to grab her opponent’s shirt.
GOAL! Poland 0-1 Sweden (Blackstenius 28')
Well, it had been coming – and now Sweden have the lead! Asllani runs on to Angeldahl’s pass and lifts in a cross for the unmarked Stina Blackstenius to head home.
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26 mins: Janogy retreats into her own half to collect the ball and is fouled by Krezyman.
24 mins: Wiankowska nicks the ball away from Angeldahl and motors upfield, then hits an aimless long ball which has teammate Achchinska shrugging her shoulders in frustration.
23 mins: Ilestedt comes forward for a free kick and gets her head to it, but the ball loops onto the roof of the net.
22 mins: Angeldahl finds space down the right and drills in a cross to Blackstenius, who gets ahead of her marker but can’t keep her shot down. That’s the kind of chance we’ve seen her bury on many occasions.
20 mins: Matysik gets across well to heave the ball out of touch with Janogy threatening to get beyond her. Sweden fans are here in big numbers – there are pockets of yellow shirts all around the ground.
18 mins: A Polish cross evades Krezyman in the area and Sweden break downfield, only for Blackstenius’ control to let her down with Angeldahl and Asllani arriving in the area.
16 mins: Eek! Wos dallies on the ball and is robbed by Blackstenius – and has Matysik to thank after the right-back cuts out the cross to Janogy, who would have surely scored.
14 mins: Ewa Pajor is having to drop back to the halfway line to get involved – but when she does, she sweeps a lovely long diagonal out to Krezyman. The winger has to wait for support, though, and is eventually crowded out.
12 mins: Sweden hit the bar again! At the other end, Kaneryd’s cross is this close to Asllani’s head – and moments later, Lundkist has time and space to pick out Janogy at the far post – and her header hits the top of the crossbar!
11 mins: Angeldahl is dispossessed on the edge of the area and Poland work it upfield, only for Achcinska’s attempted long ball towards Tomasiak to be cut out.
9 mins: Rytting Kaneryd gets in behind the Polish back line from Angeldahl’s pass, but can’t find Blackstenius with the cut-back. Still, Sweden have Poland camped around their own penalty area.
7 mins: Janogy picks up a loose ball and finds Asllani ahead of her, but centre-back Szymczak does well to fend her off and retrieve the ball.
5 mins: Poland get upfield for the first time before left-back Wiankowska, lacking options around her, scuffs a shot that’s on target, but easy for Falk to collect.
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3 mins: The ball keeps coming back, Wos giving it away cheaply before Angeldahl sends her shot from a narrow angle high over the bar.
2 mins: Sweden hit the bar! Asllani gets her head to a deflected cross and her effort loops onto the crossbar. Poland get it clear, but not for long …
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1 min: Madelen Janogy, who’s started the first two games with Fridolina Rolfo recovering from injury, gets away down the left. Her cross is cleared at the near post, and the winger can’t steer the rebound on target.
First half
Away we go, with Sweden straight on the attack …
The players are out and anthems performed under an ethereal sky in Lucerne. Sweden will be in their blue away shirts, with Poland in white shirts and red shorts.
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Here’s Suzanne Wrack on a wild, VAR-heavy win for Germany.
Pre-match reading
Sweden have a midfield general from Real Madrid and an all-star attacking line-up – but Poland’s team are powered by a never-say-die spirit. Read up on both teams here:
“There’s a (frankly terrifying) 153m outdoor elevator about 8km from the stadium in Lucerne,” writes Ben Mock. “Feels like a fitting analogy for the task ahead of Poland tonight.” Frankly terrifying looks about right.
It’s finished Germany 2-1 Denmark, the eight-times champions fighting back from a goal down at half-time to secure their second win in Group C. If Sweden win tonight, both teams will be guaranteed a quarter-final place before they meet in Zurich on Saturday.
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Team news
Poland (4-3-3): Szemik; Matysik, Szymczak, Wos, Wiankowska; Achcinska, Pawollek, Grabowska; Krezyman, Pajor (c), Tomasiak.
Subs: Radkiewicz, Seweryn, Zieniewicz, Dudek, Mesjasz, Kamczyk, Zawistowska, Kokosz, Jedlinskia, Slowinska, Padilla, Ademek.
Sweden (4-3-3): Falk; Lundkvist, Bjorn, Ilestedt, Nilden; Angeldahl; Asllani, Zigiotti Olme; Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Janogy.
Subs: Holmgren, Enblom, J Andersson, Sembrant, Eriksson, Hurtig, Jakobsson, Wangerheim, Rolfo, Bennison, Holmberg, Blomqvist.
Preamble
Major tournaments can be a brutal business. After months of anticipation, it can all be over in a matter of days – which is particularly tough on debutants. For Poland, three decades of trying but failing to reach a major finals came to an end with a surprise playoff win over Austria.
Poland began their Group C campaign with a creditable 2-0 defeat to Germany, but with said opponents beating Denmark in Basel, Nina Patalon’s side will likely need a result against Sweden – another former champion – or see their Euros dream end, four days after their tournament began.
Sweden, who got the better of Denmark in their opener, will start as heavy favourites but Poland have a world-class forward in Ewa Pajor, and they have overcome the odds just to be there. One result can still change everything. Kick-off is at 8pm BST, 9pm local time.
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