England's defensive powerhouse Lucy Bronze has sent a clear message to Sweden ahead of their Euro 2025 qualifying clash: the Lionesses are primed and ready for war.
The Barcelona right-back, a veteran of England's Euro 2022 triumph, believes Sarina Wiegman's squad has what it takes to overcome their Scandinavian rivals in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Bronze's Confidence Soars Ahead of Crucial Qualifier
Speaking to reporters, Bronze didn't mince words: 'We know Sweden's quality, but we're ready for them. This team has grown so much since the World Cup, and we're hungry for more success.'
The 32-year-old's confidence stems from England's impressive form, having secured comfortable victories against Republic of Ireland and France in their opening qualifiers.
Sweden: The Ultimate Test
Friday's match at Wembley represents England's toughest challenge yet in the qualifying campaign. Sweden, currently ranked fifth in the world, boast a formidable record against the Lionesses.
- Sweden eliminated England in the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals
- The Swedes knocked England out of the 2023 World Cup semi-finals
- Their last meeting ended 2-1 to Sweden in the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup
However, Bronze insists this is a different England team: 'We've learned from those defeats. The young players bring fresh energy, and the experienced players know what it takes at this level.'
Wembley Awaits Historic Clash
With over 80,000 tickets already sold, the match promises to be one of the most attended women's football fixtures in English history. The FA hopes to surpass the record 87,192 crowd that witnessed England's Euro 2022 final victory over Germany.
Bronze added: 'Playing at Wembley is always special, but with this crowd behind us? That's our 12th player. We want to put on a show and take another step towards Euro 2025.'
The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Friday, with England looking to maintain their perfect start to the qualifying campaign.
