Sweden head coach Tony Gustavsson has adjusted his starting lineup for Tuesday evening's second meeting with Lithuania, with Zecira Musovic taking over in goal from Jennifer Falk, according to Omni – Alla nyheter. Alla perspektiv.
The change comes after Sweden won the opening match of the tie 5-0 on Friday, leaving the team needing only to avoid a heavy defeat to move on to the decisive playoff round. The winner of that two-match playoff secures a place at the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
Sweden's opponent in the next round will be either Scotland or the Czech Republic. Scotland won the first leg of that pairing 2-0.
Why it matters
The tie is effectively settled after Friday's five-goal win, so Gustavsson's selection carries more weight as preparation than as a response to pressure. Rotating the goalkeeper and handing Stina Blackstenius a start in place of Evelyn Ijeh gives squad players minutes in a competitive fixture with little riding on the result.
For Musovic, the start marks a return between the posts for the national team. Omni – Alla nyheter. Alla perspektiv. describes the selection as a comeback in goal.
The wider stakes remain the World Cup itself. Sweden's path to Brazil runs through the playoff round, where Scotland or the Czech Republic await. Scotland's 2-0 first-leg advantage gives them the inside track in that pairing, though the second leg has yet to be decided.
The lineup and the buildup
Sweden's starting eleven for the match is: Zecira Musovic in goal, with Smilla Holmberg, Nathalie Björn, Bella Andersson and Anna Sandberg across the back. Matilda Vinberg, Hanna Lundkvist, Julia Zigiotti Olme and Anna Anvegård line up in midfield, with Stina Blackstenius and Felicia Schröder leading the attack.
Blackstenius's inclusion in place of Evelyn Ijeh is one of the notable switches, reported by Fotbollskanalen. Musovic's return in goal is the other.
Coverage of the match is being carried by several Swedish outlets. SVT is streaming the game, while Sportbladet is running live reporting. Göteborgs-Posten is also following the qualifier, and Dagens Nyheter has published a guide to the fixture under the headline asking whether Solna will see another haul of goals.
Aftonbladet reported a change to the venue arrangements, noting that the roof at Strawberry Arena has been opened. The same outlet's coverage frames it as a reversal.
Felicia Schröder, who scored a hat-trick in the first match, has drawn praise in the Swedish press. Sportexpressen, Sportbladet and Fotbollskanalen all awarded her four out of five in their ratings, according to Omni – Alla nyheter. Alla perspektiv. One assessment described her performance as having the potential to be world class.
What to watch
The result of Tuesday's match decides the tie, but with a five-goal cushion Sweden are firmly in control of the outcome. The more immediate question is how Gustavsson's rotated side performs ahead of the playoff round, and which of Scotland or the Czech Republic emerges as Sweden's next opponent.
