December 4 – Sweden have failed to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time following a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland. England remain in contention for the Paris 2024 play-offs after a dramatic 3-2 comeback win against the Netherlands.
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic’s sixth-minute goal for Switzerland proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned Sweden to miss out on the Olympic tournament after claiming silver at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. Sweden also won bronze at the recent Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. On 12 points, Spain have an unassailable lead in group 4. France have got Group 2 wrapped up.
The four group winners progress to the Nations League final four, with the two finalists punching a ticket for Paris 2024. Hosts France qualify automatically.
In Group 1, the English remain in contention after they got three vital points against the 2017 European champions, coming from two goals down to win with a 91st-minute strike by Ella Toone. On nine points, England are joint-top with the Dutch, who enjoy a better goal difference, which could prove to be a tiebreaker.
The Dutch host Belgium, who drew 1-1 with relegated Scotland, on Tuesday. England travel to Hampden Park needing to win by three goals or more, but the matchup will leave Uefa embarrassed. If England seal qualification then Team GB will have a spot at the Olympics. Coach Sarina Wiegman is free to pick any players from Scotland for Team GB. The draw has created a situation in which Scotland must let England win in a bid for Scottish players to have a chance of playing in Paris.
In Group 3, Germany have taken control after defeating direct rivals Denmark 3-0. The Germans need to defeat bottom-side Wales to seal passage to the final four.
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