Credit: Ievgenii Karanov, Chronicle.lu
On Saturday 22 March 2025, Luxembourg’s men’s national football team played their first match of the year, a home friendly against Sweden, in front of 9,214 spectators at the Stade de Luxembourg.
The hosts started the match strongly, creating several chances near Sweden’s goal. Luxembourg winger Danel Sinani forced Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen into a save in the third minute with a powerful free kick from around 25 metres. Shortly afterwards, another attempt from closer range narrowly missed the target.
Sweden responded in the eighth minute when Alexander Isak’s header was superbly turned away by Anthony Moris. From the resulting corner, Carl Starfelt had a golden opportunity to score, but Moris once again denied the visitors with a crucial save.
Luxembourg’s sixteen-year-old forward Brian Madjo had a good chance to open the scoring in the 21st minute but failed to convert. Just two minutes later, a well-delivered corner by Danel Sinani found defender Seid Korac, who rose highest to head the ball past Olsen and give Luxembourg a 1-0 lead.
The score remained unchanged going into the break, with the teams starting the second half with a narrow lead in favour of the hosts.
Luxembourg continued to create chances early in the second half. In the 56th minute, Sinani once again tested Olsen, but the Swedish goalkeeper reacted well, pushing the ball out for a corner. Sweden's attacking efforts were repeatedly thwarted by Luxembourg’s solid defence.
A shot by Alexander Isak from the edge of the penalty area in the 59th minute was blocked. In the 72nd minute, Sweden's Jesper Karlström found space in the box and nearly broke through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Seid Korac made a crucial block, allowing Anthony Moris to collect the ball.
Three minutes later, Luxembourg defender Dirk Carlson committed a foul just outside the penalty area and received a yellow card. The resulting free kick, however, went over the crossbar. At the 76th minute, Tomas Moreira had a clear chance, breaking through on goal, but was unable to beat Olsen in the one-on-one situation.
Luxembourg created several more chances in the closing stages but could not convert them to extend their lead.
This marked Luxembourg’s first-ever victory in seven encounters against Sweden, having previously recorded five defeats and one draw.
Luxembourg men's national football team head coach, Luc Holtz, said after the match: “That was the best football match I have seen in Luxembourg so far. It was a good evening, of course, but I think even the Swedish team did not perform badly – they played really good football. We analysed this and in the end, I think we deserved the win. It is a great day for Luxembourgish sport.”
IK
