Match Summary

England Team

Sweden Team

After ten minutes of this latest International match at Wembley Stadium I looked down at my notes and realised there was nothing there!  Such was the start of the game as both sides felt each other out but failed to rouse the sparse crowd, the new Wembley Stadium's lowest yet.  It did get better later on, but the match never rose to any great heights.  However, England did win, and won more easily than the scoreline suggests, in fact 3-0 would have been a little more realistic.

Sweden had the first 'attempt' at goal on 12 minutes, a free-kick that was easily blocked by the England wall, whilst two minutes later, at the other, end a fast run into the box by Theo Walcott forced a corner.  The same player then combined with Bobby Zamora and the Fulham player stabbed his effort wide from close in.

Nothing much had happened during the first quarter of the game but on 22 minutes, out of the blue, England took the lead.  Stewart Downing and Leighton Baines worked an opening down the left wing and Downing was able to take the ball on before delivering a fine cross to the middle.  It was Gareth Barry who leapt high to meet the ball with a glancing header which at first appeared to go straight into the far corner.  But replays then showed that the Swedish defender Daniel Majstorovic had made a decisive final touch and an own goal seemed to be the majority decision.  That was a shame because the goal was England's 2000th in Internationals.  Perhaps we should all go along with the Wembley scoreboard who gave it to Barry.  Whoever scored, it gave England the lead and play picked up a little as a result of the deadlock being broken.  It certainly woke Sweden from their slumbers and a series of over robust challenges upset the referee, with a couple of yellow cards being shown.

England were playing with Phil Jones again in midfield and both he and Jack Rodwell looked very lively at times.  Rodwell will be kicking himself for not scoring in this game.  His box to box runs had been brilliant and a goal would have put the icing on the cake of an impressive performance.  His first chance came after Zamora and Baines combined on the left and the full-back set his clubmate up with a great pass only for Rodwell's shot to take a deflection and fly just wide.  The Jones superbly burst through the middle with a one against one with the keeper.  As Andreas Isaksson came out Jones flicked the ball wide of him, but also, sadly, just wide of the far post.  Then, after 41 minutes, it was Rodwell's turn to shine again, first when he headed a Swedish attack clear, and then when he met an inch perfect cross from the lively Downing again.  This time Rodwell should have buried the close range header, instead his effort scraped the outside of the post.  It seemed easier to score to be honest.

At half-time England were still ahead, but whether they would rue the missed guilt-edged chances to add to their score, only time would tell.  Sweden were largely anonymous with their star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic hardly having a kick, and Joe Hart only tested by a cross from Rasmus Elm, which almost crept in under the crossbar, until the keeper managed to claw the ball away to safety.  Sweden were very physical and one or two of their players were lucky to stay on the field, so often did they foul.  But for England Jones and Rodwell had really impressive halves and young Kyle Walker, making his first start, had an outstanding game from start to finish at right-back.  He was always available, made some tremendous runs forward and yet his defensive work was first-class.  He looks a real find for Fabio Capello.

At half-time Scott Carson came on for Hart in the England goal, whilst Sweden made changes too, but it was another devastating burst by Downing that created the first chance of the half.  His cross to Zamora was met by the centre-forward but again an important deflection was made by the defender.  Sweden tried to step up the pace, but Gary Cahill and skipper John Terry withstood all that the visitors could muster down the middle, whilst the full-backs took care of the wings.

If truth be told the second half was a little tedious and England could only bring on their downfall themselves.  There were a few loose passes, but overall they were in command of the situation.  Carson was only tested once, and similar to Hart earlier, it was a speculative cross that almost did the damage.  The goalkeeper managed to claw the ball away and keeping a clean sheet will do his confidence the world of good should he be needed in the future.  Around the hour mark England brought on Daniel Sturridge and James Milner for Rodwell and Walcott, with debutant Sturridge moving to the left with Downing switching to the right.

Downing then set up another chance for Zamora before intercepting a pass and making for goal himself.  It looked odds on a goal but Downing's hard, low shot was well gathered by Isaksson.  Darren Bent replaced Zamora, and the Fulham man can be pleased with his efforts.  He may not be the best player in International football but you would be hard pressed to find a more willing runner.

There were few chances in the closing minutes, despite a lot of huffing and puffing.  Another brilliant run by Walker saw him combine with Milner, and the latter put in a fine cross.  Bent went for it but the defender managed to clear for a corner.  Right at the death substitute Bajrami crossed to the far side and Christian Wilhelmsson volleyed a good chance high over the bar.  That was the only time Walker had been caught out of position.

So, England remain unbeaten during the calendar year and the momentum is continued.  The 43 year record against one of our bogey sides has finally been sorted, by registering our first victory against the Swedes since 1968.  Certainly Capello has now found lots of new options over the past week and one or two of the senior players will be looking over their shoulders at the influx of these good youngsters.  It can only be good for England's future, let's hope that 2012 is just as productive for the team. 

Dare we hope?
      

Source Notes