Tony Gustavsson Faces Mounting Pressure After Third Consecutive Loss as Sweden Falls to France in Nations League

The Swedish women's national football team, under the leadership of head coach Tony Gustavsson, suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to France in the Nations League bronze match, marking Gustavsson's third consecutive loss since taking charge.

The match saw Sweden fall behind early after Sakina Karchaoui converted a penalty for France. Despite a missed opportunity earlier from young talent Felicia Schröder, who was later substituted at halftime, Stina Blackstenius managed to equalize in the 67th minute. However, Sweden's hopes were dashed when France scored the winning goal deep into injury time, in the 96th minute from a corner kick.

Gustavsson's tenure has been marked by strategic changes aimed at preparing the squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. These radical alterations, including overhauling the starting lineup, resulted in previous losses: a 4-0 defeat against Spain and a 1-0 loss in another fixture. Gustavsson has openly accepted the risk of criticism, emphasizing the importance of exposing younger players to high-ranking opponents and remaining focused on competing for a bronze medal amid rebuilding efforts.

Nevertheless, the team's style of play and tactical decisions have drawn sharp criticism from experts following the France match. SVT commentators Elena Sadiku and Lotta Schelin condemned the Swedish team's approach, describing it as “boring long-ball football” with limited goal chances and lacking control. There was particular disapproval over Gustavsson's substitution of key midfielder Filippa Angeldahl at halftime, which was seen as detrimental to team rhythm and young players’ confidence, including Schröder.

Blackstenius voiced the team's frustration, stating, “It’s a huge letdown, as we conceded a goal in the absolute last second. Three losses are certainly not something we are satisfied with, but we must look ahead.”

As the Swedish squad navigates this challenging period, Gustavsson remains determined to build for the future, prioritizing player development ahead of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. The upcoming bronze medal match will be contested at the 3 arena in Stockholm, where the team looks to reverse their recent fortunes.