There was no celebratory win for new England centurion Steph Houghton, as Sweden pulled off a 2-0 victory in the friendly watched by a crowd of over 9,000 at Rotherham United FC.
It was the Lionesses’ first home defeat since 13 February 2015, when the USA won by the only goal of the game.
Sweden took the lead a little after 20 minutes into the match, Sofia Jakobsson curling her shot into the corner of the net from 20 yards.
Jordan Nobbs was denied by Hedvig Lindahl soon after and at the other end Caroline Seger’s header came off the post.
Moments later the visitors doubled their advantage, Anna Anvegard opening her account from close range after England failed to clear the corner.
Jill Scott’s dangerous cross into the box led to calls for a penalty for a challenge on Nobbs and the Lionesses continued to threaten for a spell but without reducing the arrears.
Izzy Christiansen hit Lucy Bronze’s cut-back over the top, Nikita Parris nodded wide on the follow-up from Toni Duggan’s parried effort and Scott glanced a corner into the keeper’s hands.
Substitute Fridolino Rolfo looked to make it 3-0 but Carly Telford got down to pull off the save.
England (4-3-3): 1 Carly Telford (Chelsea); 2 Lucy Bronze (Lyon), 5 Steph Houghton (capt; Manchester City), 6 Millie Bright (Chelsea), 3 Alex Greenwood (Manchester United); 4 Isobel Christiansen (Lyon), 10 Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), 8 Jill Scott (Manchester City); 7 Nikita Parris (Manchester City), 9 Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), 11 Beth Mead (Arsenal).
Substitutes: 19 Toni Duggan (Barcelona) for Mead 46, 20 Georgia Stanway (Manchester City) for Christiansen 73, 22 Melissa Lawley (Manchester City) for Daly 73, 17 Lucy Staniforth (Birmingham City) for Scott 83.
Substitutes not used: 12 Hannah Blundell (Chelsea), 13 Mary Earps (Wolfsburg), 14 Abbie McManus (Manchester City), 15 Leah Williamson (Arsenal), 16 Gabrielle George (Everton), 19 Karen Carney (Chelsea), 21 Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), 23 Chioma Ubogagu (Brisbane Roar – on loan from Orlando Pride).
Attendance: 9,161
