The odd thing about Sweden’s 4-1 victory against Germany in Zurich was that they did not even really need to play that well. Passes went astray, shooting opportunities were wasted and a much-changed defence looked overwhelmed in the first 10 minutes.
But, almost accidentally, Sweden ended up becoming the first team in the history of the Women’s European Championship to put four goals past Germany.
Their win was so comfortable that Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, awarded player of the match, forgot the scoreline in her post-match press conference. “It’s not every day against Germany you win… was it 4-1?”
It was a performance that was not spectacular, but rather simple, functional and harmonious. And that is what Sweden are all about, on and off the pitch.
GO FURTHER
Sweden are functional, harmonious with no-frills on and off the pitch – it could take them far
