‘We have to improve’: Potter candid after Sweden outperformed by neighbours Norway

Alexander Isak scored for Sweden in the second half to bring the final score to 3-1, but the damage was already done for Graham Potter’s side, who were outclassed by a neighbour and rival that had long been in their shadow.

Jorgen Strand Larsen and Antonio Nusa put Norway 2-0 up within 18 minutes, and Strand Larsen completed his brace in the 37th minute for a Norwegian team who were without Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

The first half was a reality check for Sweden, who were playing for the first time since the high of securing World Cup qualification against Poland in March, and Potter was forthright in his thoughts after the match.

“It was a very tough night for us, of course. Norway are ahead of us in terms of their game and how long they have been working together. We were not as good as we wanted to be, absolutely not.”

Part of the reason for the ‘game of two halves’ was the introduction of eight new players, including Isak, at half-time. The English manager noted improvement after the break, but his overall feelings remained the same.

“The first half was a huge disappointment; the second was better. We have to improve.”

The ninth and final Swedish substitution saw captain Victor Lindelof come on to replace Herman Johansson just after the hour mark. Lindelof echoed his manager’s assessment but was also quick to remind everyone that it is the results in North America that ultimately matter.

“They punished us quite easily. There was a bit of a lack of energy in the first half. You shouldn’t stare blindly at the result today. We lost today, so congratulations to Norway. But we are working for something bigger that will come in a few weeks.

“This is nothing that will affect the boys. If this had been our first match in the World Cup it wouldn’t have been good, but now it was a training match,” Lindelof explained.

Whether a friendly or not, Blagult and their fans will surely be hoping for better on home soil on 4th June, when Sweden welcome Greece to Solna before heading off to Mexico ahead of their World Cup opener against Tunisia on 15th June.