Euro 2022: Sweden secure first Group C win against Switzerland
- Published
Substitute Bennison scores late winner for Sweden
Teenage substitute Hanna Bennison scored the winning goal as Sweden overcame Switzerland to earn their first victory at Euro 2022.
Among the tournament favourites, Sweden ensured their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals remain in their own hands heading into their final match against Portugal on Sunday.
Everton midfielder Bennison produced a fine finish from the edge of the penalty area with 11 minutes remaining to leave Peter Gerhardsson's side level with the Netherlands at the top of Group C.
The game had sparked into life early in the second half as Barcelona forward Fridolina Rolfo slotted in at the end of a sweeping team move to end Switzerland's stern resistance.
But Switzerland, forced to cancel training on Monday after nine players suffered from a stomach bug, responded less than two minutes later when Bachmann curled in at Bramall Lane.
Rebecka Blomqvist had two late finishes ruled out for offside but Switzerland were unable to force a late equaliser and remain on one point after two matches.
Defending champions the Netherlands defeated Portugal 3-2 later on Wednesday to join Sweden on four points.
Bennison brings relief for Sweden
Sweden have lost just two of their 20 group stages matches in the competition
Given their status as the best-ranked European side - placed second in Fifa's world rankings - there are high expectations of Sweden at Euro 2022.
Seeking a statement win in Sheffield following their opening 1-1 draw with the Netherlands, the Olympic silver medallists initially struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against compact opposition.
They survived an early scare as Switzerland were awarded a penalty following Magdalena Eriksson's challenge on Noelle Martiz.
But Eriksson was deemed to have made enough contact with the ball before colliding with Martiz - and Spanish referee Marta Huerta de Aza overturned her decision after being advised to review the incident.
Despite offering the greater attacking threat, Sweden were frustrated in their first-half attempts to force a breakthrough, while there was a rare moment of concern at the back as Nathalie Bjorn produced a last-ditch block with Bachmann threatening to punish a loose Eriksson pass.
The 2017 quarter-finalists were rewarded for a fast start to the second period, though, with Rolfo having already curled narrowly wide before finishing from Asllani's pass after 53 minutes.
It took 92 seconds for that advantage to be wiped out, however, as Lindahl punched a cross into the path of the alert Paris Saint-Germain forward Bachmann.
Sweden continued to push for a winner and, with the pressure beginning to mount, the 19-year-old Bennison delivered a moment of huge relief with a composed finish to significantly boost her side's hopes of progress.
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