Sweden’s start to the 2025 calendar year was a disappointing one as they lost to Luxembourg for the first time ever.
Sweden will use the first international match phase of the year for two test matches, with coach Jon Dahl Tomasson’s team not getting involved in World Cup qualifying until September 5 – when they travel to Slovenia. The Swedes went into the game against Luxembourg as clear favorites, having not lost any of their six previous meetings (5/1/0, 16:1 goals).
League Cup winners Isak and Elanga were expected to provide the Premier League power up front. However, the visitors failed to make an impact in the first 45 minutes. Although they had 73 percent possession, they looked uncreative and ineffective.
Instead, the few Swedish fans who had traveled to the Stade de Luxembourg had to watch as the home side scored the celebrated opening goal: the eye-catching Sinani pulled a corner from the right to the second post, where Korac placed a header through Olsen’s legs (23rd).
Karlström demands a penalty in vain
A reply remained stuck in the guests’ throats. Tomasson reacted by making three changes at half-time, bringing Ayari, Holm and Sema into the game. However, it did not get any better – the Swedes played in a way that was too uninspired and too plodding. A product of chance saw Karlström get a rare chance, but he was cut out by Bohnert and then called for a penalty in vain because of light contact from Barreiro (72′).
Almost on the counterattack, Luxembourg should have put the lid on it, but substitute Joao Cruz pushed the ball into Olsen’s arms from a central position on a counterattack (76′). Shortly afterwards, Barreiro was denied by a strong reflex save from Olsen (86′). The fully deserved 1-0 win was enough though. The joy was immense after the first ever victory against Sweden.
The Luxembourg team is looking to build on this on Tuesday (8:05 p.m.) when they face Switzerland in St. Gallen. The Swiss have not won a game since the European Championship in Germany and were disappointing even in the 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland on Friday. For Sweden, who last lost on June 8, 2024 (0-3 to Serbia), a streak of six consecutive unbeaten games (5/1/0) came to an end. They will be looking to start a new one against Northern Ireland on Tuesday.
