The Swedish U21 national team entered the final stages of the qualifiers for the U21 European Championships on Thursday. First out was the away match against Luxembourg.
Sweden came to the match from a 0-2 loss against Ireland at home in Borås, a match that also became the former U21 national team captain Jens Gustafsson’s only match before he signed for the Polish top league club Polgon Szczecin in early May. Against Luxembourg, it was instead his former assistant, Andreas Pettersson, who led the team as acting national team captain.
Then Pettersson made five changes in the starting eleven since the Ireland match. Daniel Svensson replaced suspended Emil Holm, Pavle Vagic replaced Jesper Tolinsson, Carl Gustafsson replaced Hampus Finndell, Isak Jansson replaced Armin Gigovic and Rami Al Hajj replaced Paulos Abraham. In addition, Sweden switched to a 4-4-2 formation after playing with a 4-3-3 formation against Ireland.
Already after four minutes, Amin Sarr showed a threat going forward. The Heerenveen forward, who ended the league season with five goals in ten games, got the ball in deep and found the final position. The finish, in turn, looked close outside. But just over 25 minutes later, Sarr would receive a dividend.
When a Swedish player was knocked down by the Luxembourg goalkeeper in the 30th minute, Blågult was awarded a penalty. After a discussion between Patrik Wålemark and Amin Sarr about who would add the penalty, Sarr stepped forward – and pounded the ball high to 1-0 Sweden.
It stood at half time, but eight minutes into the second half Sweden extended. Wålemark drove the ball up along his right edge, before he found Bilal Hussein at the front post who finished in goal to 2-0. The goal was his total second in the U21 national team.
In the 66th minute, Sweden then received its second penalty in the match after a handball on Luxembourg defender in his own penalty area and this time Wålemark stepped forward. The Feyenoord forward made no mistake but put it 3-0.
With 20 minutes left to play, history was then written in Luxembourg. Roony Bardghji was substituted for Wålemark and thus became the youngest debutant ever for Sweden’s U21 national team with his 16 years and 199 days, a record previously held by Alexander Isak with his 17 years and 15 days.
Just over ten minutes later, Bardghji also got the chance to score, but the Luxembourg goalkeeper managed to save.
Sweden eventually won the match 3-0, but they still do not have an advancement to the U21 European Championships in their own hands. Admittedly, Blågult leads the group, but both second-placed Italy and third-placed Ireland have played two matches less – and can thus both go over Sweden in case they win their hanging matches. But after watchingagainst Sweden, the Swedish European Championship dream is still alive.
Startelvor:
Luxemburg: Martin – Dzogovic, D’Anzico, Sinner – Latic, Ikene, Medina, De Oliveira, Schmit – Hansen, Rupil.
Sweden: Brolin – Svensson, Ousou, Vagic, Kahl – Wålemark, Gustafsson, Hussein, Jansson – Al Hajj, Sarr.
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