Euro 2022: Defending champions Netherlands held by Sweden in Group C opener

Defending champions the Netherlands and the world's second-ranked side Sweden could not be separated as the two sides played out an entertaining draw in front of 21,342 fans in their Euro 2022 Group C opener at Bramall Lane.

A clash between two of the world's best teams always looked like being a tight affair and so it proved.

The Netherlands, not helped by injuries to their first-choice goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal and defender Aniek Nouwen, looked cagey in the opening 45 minutes.

Sweden, in contrast, executed their gameplan superbly, giving their opponents very few opportunities to attack while creating chances of their own.

They deservedly took the lead just before half-time when Kosovare Asllani's ball across the box found the unmarked Jonna Andersson, who fired across the goalkeeper and into the net.

But the Netherlands came out firing after the break and drew level thanks to Jill Roord's turn and finish following a good move.

Both sides had chances to snatch a winner, with Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo seeing a long-range effort saved, and Magdalena Eriksson doing well to deny Roord a second for the Dutch.

In the end a draw was a fair reflection of the game and means Group C is wide open after Portugal and Switzerland drew earlier on Saturday.

The impressive attendance at Bramall Lane was a new record for a European Women's Championship group stage match not involving a host nation.

• Relive Netherlands and Sweden's Group C opener at Bramall Lane

Dutch improve after slow start

Netherlands fans packed out the centre of Sheffield in the build-up to the game

There was plenty of excitement in the build-up to the game with Sheffield's city centre a sea of orange and yellow as fans mingled in the sunshine.

The atmosphere carried over into the stadium where thousands of Netherlands fans had come to witness their national team begin their title defence.

The Dutch won Euro 2017 under Sarina Wiegman, who now manages England, with Englishman Mark Parsons taking charge of the Oranje last year.

But his preparations for this tournament have been hampered by injuries, which continued into the game itself.

Even before their enforced substitutions, they looked well off the pace in the first half as they struggled to get star forward Vivianne Miedema into the game.

To their credit, they were considerably better after the break as they found more joy attacking in wide areas, and that will give them confidence they can get better as the tournament progresses.

Sweden show they will be tough to beat

Sweden have been steadily improving in recent years and, after finishing third at the 2019 Women's World Cup, they won the silver medal at Tokyo 2020.

Their form in the run-up to Euro 2022 has been impressive. They won the Algarve Cup - ahead of Italy, Norway and Portugal - in February and came into this game on the back of a run of 12 matches without defeat.

The Swedish players' confidence in their gameplan and ability was clear from the outset as they had the measure of their opponents for almost the entirety of the first half.

While the Netherlands fought back after the break, this was a performance that highlighted how difficult Sweden will be to beat at Euro 2022 as they look to win a European Championship for the first time since the inaugural edition in 1984.