'We have to improve': Potter blunt after Sweden humbled by neighbours Norway

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/isak-alexander/p41IV42c/"]Alexander Isak[/a] struck for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sweden/OQyqbHWB/"]Sweden[/a] in the second half to make the final score [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/norway-8rP6JO0H/sweden-OQyqbHWB/?mid=dOKMzug3"]3-1[/a], but the damage was done for Graham Potter's side, who were outclassed by a neighbour and rival who had been in their shadow for a long time.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/larsen-jorgen/lQ5EYyWg/"]Jorgen Strand Larsen[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/nusa-antonio/rHwRvHQp/"]Antonio Nusa[/a] had [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norway/8rP6JO0H/"]Norway[/a] 2-0 up within 18 minutes, before Strand Larsen completed his brace in the 37th minute for a Norwegian XI that was missing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/haaland-erling/UmV9iQmE/"]Erling Haaland[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/odegaard-martin/ID32TGhp/"]Martin Odegaard[/a].[/p][p]The first half was a reality check for Sweden, who were playing for the first time since the high of securing World Cup qualification against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/poland/2HzmcynI/"]Poland[/a] in March, and Potter was blunt in his reflections post-match.[/p][p][b]"It was a very tough night for us, of course. Norway are ahead of us in terms of their game, how long they have worked together. We were not as good as we wanted to be, absolutely not."[/b][/p][p]Part of the reason for the 'game of two halves' was the introduction of eight new faces, including Isak, at half-time. The English coach noted improvement after the break, but his overall sentiments didn't change.[/p][p][b]"The first (half) was a huge disappointment, the second was better. We have to improve."[/b][/p][embed guid="ad53987b-9216-4338-a6f5-cd004366a467" url="https://x.com/svenskfotboll/status/2061532194858746206" social-type="twitter" /][p]The ninth and final Swedish change saw captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lindelof-victor/OIp0Le1f/"]Victor Lindelof[/a] come on to replace [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/johansson-herman/fyM1vHt7/"]Herman Johansson[/a] just after the hour mark. Lindelof echoed his manager's assessment but was also quick to remind everyone that, ultimately, it's the results in North America that matter.[/p][p][b]"They punished us quite easily. There was a bit of a lack of energy in the first half. You shouldn't stare blindly at the result today. We lost today, so congratulations Norway. But we are working for something bigger that will come in a few weeks.[/b][/p][p][b]"This is nothing that will affect the boys. If this had been our first match in the World Cup it wouldn't have been good, but now it was a training match,"[/b] explained Lindelof.[/p][p]Friendly match or not, Blagult and their fans will surely be hoping for better on home soil on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/greece-COuk57Ci/sweden-OQyqbHWB/?mid=nVbellBj"]4th June[/a], when Sweden welcome [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/greece/COuk57Ci/"]Greece[/a] to Solna before jetting off to Mexico ahead of their World Cup opener against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tunisia/QqZVYk95/"]Tunisia[/a] on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/sweden-OQyqbHWB/tunisia-QqZVYk95/?mid=UaJKzaHN"]15th June[/a].[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/soccer/world/world-championship/"]Follow Sweden at this summer's World Cup with Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]