Euro 2020 Qualifiers: Sweden vs Spain – tactical analysis

Sweden faced Spain looking to maintain their unbeaten run against the two-time winners of the European Championship on home turf, though Spain arrived knowing that a draw would be enough to secure them a spot in the competition next summer.

Marcus Berg provided the shock opening goal in favour of the hosts, bundling the ball over the line early on in the second half after Spain had dominated the first period. It wasnt until injury time when Spain got their much needed equaliser, with Rodrigo Moreno coming off the bench despite an injury scare in training, going on to score the late goal.

This tie leaves Spain having gone through from the Euro 2020 qualifiers and Moreno will already be planning his tactics ahead of the competition next summer. This tactical analysis will consider how Sweden fought back from an unconvincing start in order to take the lead and end the game as unfortunate not to take the three points. The analysis explains this notion as Spain proved to have luck on their side in the final stages.

Line-ups

Janne Andersson made just one change for Spain, bringing Victor Lindelof into the side in place of Marcus Danielsson, sticking to the 4-4-2 shape that has served them well in their qualifying campaign so far despite coming unstuck at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in June.

For the first time since 2001, Spain lined up without any of their players from the Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 or Euro 2012 victories. There were sweeping changes throughout from Moreno, including in attack where Gerard Moreno was given his debut for his country in the most intriguing team selection decision of the evening. David de Gea also replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal in another notable decision.

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