Sweden U21 Dominates Armenia 3-0 in European Championship Qualifier

Sweden's U21 football team launched their 2027 European Championship qualifying campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Armenia in Falkenberg. The match, which showcased Sweden's offensive prowess, was marked by key contributions from substitutes and a redemption moment for captain Roony Bardghji.

The game began with Sweden controlling possession but went into halftime at 0-0, primarily due to a missed penalty by Bardghji just before the break. However, the second half saw a turning point with strategic substitutions. Jonah Kusi-Asare, an 18-year-old recently transferred to Fulham, was brought on and made an immediate impact, scoring the opening goal just ten minutes later. Kusi-Asare's goal came from a deft chip shot, assisted by Bardghji, showcasing his skill and confidence.

Jeremy Agbonifo extended Sweden's lead to 2-0 approximately 20 minutes from the final whistle, before Bardghji had the chance to redeem his earlier miss. He successfully converted a second penalty with a stylish Panenka kick in the 77th minute, sealing the match at 3-0. Martin Åslund, a football expert, praised Bardghji's boldness in taking the second penalty, calling the shot 'bordering on madness.' This victory puts Sweden's U21 team on a positive trajectory as they gear up for their next match against Montenegro on Tuesday, September 8, in Podgorica.