With 15 minutes left to play, Sara Baldi scored the winner to send Italy top of Group 6 alongside England. Only one team will progress from each group to the European Championship finals, due to take place in Scotland next July.

After beating Bulgaria, Romania and Portugal in the first stage, Italy clinched a deserved fourth win at St. George’s Park in Burton upon Trent. Enrico Sbardella’s side dominated the game and only a few mistakes too many in front of the goal prevented them from wrapping the game up earlier.

“It’s a very important result,” Sbardella said. “Sweden are a strong side with great tradition in women’s football. We controlled the game, but we were not clinical enough. We will have to improve that in the next games.” Italy are now set to face Turkey, who lost 7-0 against England, on Saturday.

Group 6 - Schedule, results and table

MD 1 (3rd April)
England 7-0 Turkey
Sweden 0-1 ITALY

Table: England and ITALY 3 points, Sweden and Turkey 0

MD 2 (6th April)
13 local time (14 Italian time): England vs. Sweden
16 local time (17 Italian time): ITALY vs. Turkey

MD 3 (9th April)
13 local time (14 Italian time): Turkey vs. Sweden
13 local time (14 Italian time): England vs. ITALY

Please note: The winners of the seven qualifying groups will qualify to the European Championship final stage, due to take place from 16th to 28th July in Scotland.