Dynamic England ease past Sweden

England got their Group B campaign off to a flying start in Minsk on Monday, surging to a highly-impressive victory over former winners Sweden.

Relentless pace
Much-fancied Sweden reached this summer's finals with their goal unbreached in six qualifying matches, yet it took just 20 minutes for Jade Moore to find a way through for a vibrant England. Playing at a relentless pace, Mo Marley's team dominated for long periods and added further strikes either side of half-time through Toni Duggan and Chelsea Weston, gaining a measure of revenge for their premature exit against the same opponents last year.

Soaring confidence
If the Scandinavian outfit – champions in 1999 – were surprisingly slow out of the blocks, England began in determined fashion and duly got their reward when Moore beat Josefine Alfsson in the air to head in Michelle Hinnigan's free-kick. The early goal fuelled English confidence and after Duggan had been denied by a sharp save from Susanne Nilsson, the diminutive No9 doubled England's lead in the 36th minute after latching on to Kerys Harrop's delightful through-ball.

Duggan chance
A star performer at last year's FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup, Duggan underlined her potential with another dynamic display here. She was unfortunate not to score again early in the second half, running on to Isobel Christiansen's superb flick only to slide her shot wide. The miss did not prove costly, however, Weston effectively ending Sweden's hopes with a blistering 65th-minute shot that cannoned in off the crossbar having been teed up by her captain Hinnigan. With Calle Barrling switching to a more attacking formation, Sweden improved and might have grabbed a late consolation, but Catrine Johansson was foiled by goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer and Sofia Jakobsson failed to convert a difficult chance at the end of a night to forget for Sweden.