Sweden on cusp of World Cup as they hit Georgia for 15 (fifteen) ahead of Ireland clash

Stina Blackstenius celebrates Sweden's goal against Ireland in Tallaght last October with teammate Fridolina Rolfö

Stina Blackstenius celebrates Sweden's goal against Ireland in Tallaght last October with teammate Fridolina Rolfö Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

Sweden crushed Georgia 15-0 in their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier away from home on Thursday to leave them on the brink of qualification.

Next week they face the Republic of Ireland and should Sweden secure a win against the Girls in Green in Gothenburg next Tuesday, they will book their berth at next year’s World Cup finals. 

The result eclipses Ireland’s 11-0 home win over Georgia in Tallaght Stadium last year.

The Swedish side were 11-0 up at half time with Manchester City midfielder Filipa Angeldal scoring a first half hat-trick. Peter Gerhardsson’s side scored a mere four goals in the second period.

Nobody had to battle Angeldal for the match ball as Stina Blackstenius, Lina Hurtig and Kosovare Asllani could ‘only’ scored braces. The other goals came from Fridolina Rolfo, Linda Sembrandt, Amanda Illestedt, Rebecka Blomqvist with Olivia Schough grabbing the 15th and final goal in the 94th minute of the match.

The match stats from the game in Gori make gory reading. Sweden had 34 attempts on goal, of which 23 were on target, and they earned 23 corners. Georgia had no shots on goal and no corners.  

Slovakia play Finland on Friday evening with Georgia travelling to take on Finland next Tuesday evening. 

Group winners qualify for the tournament to be played in Australia and New Zealand.

The runners up spot will earn a team a route into a complicated play-off route from which two teams from nine will qualify – with one additional spot available should the team come through first the UEFA play-off and then win an inter-federation playoff.

Swedan squad (in full)



Goalkeepers: Jennifer Falk (Hacken), Hedvig Lindahl (Atletic Madrid), Zecira Musovic (Chelsea). 

Defenders: Jonna Andersson (Chelsea), Emma Berglund (Rosengard), Nathalie Bjorn (Everton), Magdelena Eriksson (Chelsea), Hanna Glas (Bayern Munich), Amanda Ilestedt (PSG), Emma Kullberg (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Midfielders: Amanda Nilden (Juventus), Caroline Seger © (Rosengard), Linda Sembrant (Juventus), Filippa Angeldahl (Man City), Kosovare Asllani (Real Madrid), Hanna Bennison (Everton), Filippa Curmark (Hacken), Elin Rubensson (Hacken), Johanna Ryttink Kaneryd (Hacken), Oliva Schough (Rosengard).

Forwards: Lina Hurtig (Juventus), Sofia Jakobsson (San Diego Wave), Madelen Janogy (Hammerby), Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona), Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal), Rebecka Blomqvist (Wolfsburg).

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile