Sjöstedt seals late Sweden success

Substitute Sara Sjöstedt scored a last-gasp winner as Sweden made a dream start to the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship, edging out Scotland in Amboise.

Second-half drama
Scotland appeared to have salvaged a Group B point when Christie Murray cancelled out Emmelie Konradsson's 69th-minute opener with eight minutes remaining but there was still time for Sjöstedt to break Scottish hearts. With four minutes of added time played and Ritchie Wilson's side pushing for a winner, Kim Ekeborn broke down the right and struck a shot which Rachel Harrison could only parry into the path of Sjöstedt, who fired in.

Fors force
The only player of the 22 starters with previous finals experience, Louise Fors – who turned out for Sweden in 2006 – was exempt from the first-half caution as she proved a menacing presence on the right wing. The Sweden No11 went close to threading in Konradsson and Sofia Jakobsson before taking matters into her own hands on 13 minutes. Seeing Harrison off her line, Fors tried her luck from all of 40 metres and only the upright saved the Scotland goalkeeper's blushes.

Corsie effort
Fors soon had another go after turning Lauren MacMillan and Scotland's attempts to keep her subdued were not helped when centre-back Jennifer Beattie conceded possession, although she did block the resulting shot. Yet as the rain started swirling around the Stade Georges Boulogne, Scotland suddenly grew in stature. Midfield pivot Rachel Corsie became more influential, the captain flashing one effort just over before playing a part in the move that almost broke the deadlock as Jane Ross flicked Natalie Ross's superb left-wing cross just wide.

Near miss
The portents looked ominous for Sweden, with Ruesha Littlejohn also firing a half-volley over, but as the sun reappeared for the second half so did Calle Barrling's side. Fors lined up for the restart wearing Isabell Hammarbäck's shirt after a mix-up of kits, but with the No11 back on her back she delivered a corner that Appelquist headed just wide. Konradsson was not so profligate, muscling Danica Dalziel off the ball and firing low to Harrison's right with 21 minutes to play. Yet Scotland battled back, and after Kim Little had forced Nina Fellbrant to tip on to the bar from distance, Murray tracked into the area, turned on the penalty spot and fired into the top corner via a heavy deflection. It looked to be enough but Sjöstedt had other ideas.