Magdalena Eriksson celebrates her goalImage source, Inpho
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Magdalena Eriksson glanced home the winner in the 84th minute

Captain Magdalena Eriksson scored a late winner as Sweden defeated the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Euro 2025 qualifying.

The Bayern Munich defender got a glancing touch on Jonna Andersson's corner in the 84th minute.

The result, coupled with England's 2-1 win in France, means the Republic of Ireland will finish bottom of Group A3 and be relegated.

After leaking four goals to the Swedes in Dublin on Friday, Irish manager Eileen Gleeson had called for a more resolute performance in Stockholm.

She was rewarded with a strong defensive display from her team but their efforts were undone by Eriksson's scrappy winner, which came off the defender's back.

In a further blow, talismanic captain Katie McCabe was booked and will miss the next match away to England on 12 July through suspension.

In a stop-start opening 20 minutes, Sweden dominated possession and their best chance fell to Fridolina Rolfo, who headed over the top from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's pin-point delivery.

Leanne Kiernan, one of three new faces in the Irish team from Friday's defeat, provided a spark down the right.

The Liverpool player persevered to win a corner, and the resulting set piece led to Megan Connolly volleying towards goal but her effort was deflected wide.

That sparked Sweden into life and Filippa Angeldal's ball found Rolfo, who scored in the reverse fixture, but the Barcelona forward was denied by a strong save form Courtney Brosnan.

Key defender Louise Quinn was forced off five minutes before half-time and replaced by Anna Patten, but the Aston Villa defender slotted in to maintain the fine defensive effort as the Republic frustrated the hosts.

Image source, Inpho
Image caption,

Captain Katie McCabe will miss the Republic of Ireland's trip to England on 12 July through suspension

Brosnan was called into action early in the second half when the Everton goalkeeper pushed Madelen Janogy's header away, but the flag was raised for offside.

Janogy was then denied by the sliding Caitlin Hayes, and Aoife Mannion was extremely fortunate to get away with a misjudged clearance that cannoned off Rolfo and into the grateful arms of Brosnan.

In a major blow for the visitors, McCabe, who was looking fatigued after a long season with Arsenal, was shown a yellow card midway through the second half and will now miss the game away to England through suspension.

The visitors were still trying to venture forward and Jess Ziu's low cross was deflected wide by Kiernan.

However, Sweden finally breached the Irish defence with six minutes to play when Eriksson touched home Andersson's corner.

Rosa Kafaji curled over as Sweden pushed for a second, and substitute Amber Barrett forced Zecira Musovic into a comfortable save in injury-time as the hosts ran out winners.