Blackstenius goal secures narrow win for struggling Sweden against Serbia

Sweden's 2-1 loss to Denmark only four days before showed they could not risk repeating their 0-0 stalemate in away to Serbia back in early March. Tony Gustavsson mostly retained the starting lineup from the Denmark game, reinstating Hanna Lundqvist and Matilda Vinberg.

Yet the initial half turned out frustrating once again for the hosts, who controlled more than 80 per cent of the ball but registered just three shots on target, equalling the visitors' tally, although those numbers failed to reflect the whole scenario.

The three Swedish attempts on goal all stemmed from Filippa Angeldahl, who started pressuring Milica Kostic as early as the first minute, but with the goalkeeper unable to help out Serbia, the goal frame stepped in, blocking efforts from both Angeldahl and Stina Blackstenius.

At the interval, updates arrived indicating Denmark had ended in a 0-0 tie versus Italy, so a success here would position Sweden merely one point adrift of the group frontrunners. 

It remains uncertain if that update spurred the team, but in reality, the game's lone strike occurred within five minutes of the second half beginning. 

Vinberg delivered a clever pass straight through the core of Serbia's backline towards Blackstenius, and the forward from Arsenal settled with a single touch prior to smoothly guiding the ball past Kostic into the lower corner.

The hosts earned that advantage through their overall command, as Blackstenius struck the woodwork yet again shortly past the hour, but since Vinberg's try marked the only additional on-target effort after the break for both outfits, questions arise over whether Blagult maximised their opportunities versus lesser rivals.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd entered the action with 28 minutes left, providing another encouraging sign in her injury comeback, though the primary outcome is that Sweden completed the task, gaining seven points from four outings via the 1-0 success.

Their Group A1 schedule finishes in June, encompassing what appear as crucial triumphs needed away to Denmark and hosting Italy, to claim the direct qualification berth. If not, playoffs loom for a shot at Brazil.