In a rollercoaster contest that flowed for over 130 minutes, it was England who triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout towards Sweden to guide their place within the Euro 2025 semi-finals.
The Lionesses confirmed unimaginable resilience to claw their method again from two objectives down, finally sealing their place towards Italy due to a composed closing penalty from Lucy Bronze and essential saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
Sweden got here out of the blocks flying within the first half, catching England off guard with their depth and directness.
It took solely two minutes for the Swedes to open the scoring, after Kosovare Asllani latched onto a intelligent cross from Stina Blackstenius and slotted the ball into the underside nook previous Hampton.
England seemed shell-shocked and struggled to impose themselves, with Sweden dominating.
Just over twenty minutes later, the Swedish benefit was doubled. Julia Zigiotti Olme break up the England defence with a via ball to Blackstenius, who drilled a low end past Hampton to make it 2-0.
England’s normally composed defence was disjointed, and their attacking efforts have been largely nullified within the opening 45 minutes.
WE NEVER QUIT.
ENGLAND ARE IN THE #WEURO2025 SEMI-FINALS ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Gu8o4Vxc3Z
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025
Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo each got here shut however couldn’t discover the breakthrough, with Jennifer Falk in Sweden’s purpose displaying composure and protected fingers all through the primary half.
England made a number of adjustments across the 70-minute mark to spark a turnaround. Michelle Agyemang, Beth Mead, and Esme Morgan have been all launched as supervisor Sarina Wiegman seemed to inject tempo and creativity.
The shift in momentum was quick. Chloe Kelly additionally got here off the bench and proved to be a game-changer.
In the 79th minute, Kelly curled in a scrumptious cross from the correct, and Lucy Bronze met it on the again publish, halving the deficit.
Just two minutes later, England have been degree. Mead, one other substitute, burst down the correct and noticed her header blocked within the field. The ball fell kindly to Agyemang, who reacted quickest to poke it previous Falk from shut vary.
Both sides had possibilities to win it in common time. Alessia Russo had a shot blocked within the dying moments, whereas Madelen Janogy examined Hampton with a curling strike.
With the rating locked at 2-2, the match moved into additional time.
WHAT. A. MOMENT. 😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/sVEapjEIys
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025
Extra-time and penalty insanity
The subsequent half-hour have been fiercely contested, with each groups battling not simply one another but in addition the rising stress.
Sweden got here closest via Lina Hurtig, whose header was palmed away by Hampton, and Nathalie Bjorn, who missed narrowly from a set piece.
England, too, had their moments-Bronze had a long-range shot blocked and Russo was simply off-target with a late try.
Substitutions continued into the extra durations. Injuries pressured Leah Williamson and Kosovare Asllani off, whereas contemporary legs within the type of Sofia Jakobsson, Amanda Nilden, and Rebecka Blomqvist have been deployed by Sweden.
England introduced on Grace Clinton, who slotted into midfield as penalties loomed.
As the ultimate whistle blew with the rating nonetheless 2-2, the ambiance was electrical, and the stress immense. A penalty shootout would resolve the winner.
Alessia Russo opened the shootout confidently for England, firing low into the nook. Sweden’s Filippa Angeldahl stepped up and noticed her shot saved by Hampton.
INCREDIBLEEEEE!!!!!!! 🔥
WE ARE #WEURO2025 SEMI-FINALISTS! 😍 pic.twitter.com/ZA2BUa4aXS
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025
Lauren James and Beth Mead have been each denied by Falk in successive makes an attempt, however Sweden didn’t capitalise-Magdalena Eriksson hit the publish, and Jennifer Falk blazed over.
The shootout turned a battle of nerves. Chloe Kelly powered her penalty into the highest nook to deliver England degree at 2-2. Nathalie Bjorn scored to revive Sweden’s hope, however Sofia Jakobsson’s effort was saved once more by the excellent Hampton.
Bronze then held her nerve, blasting her shot into the excessive centre of the purpose to place England on the brink.
Smilla Holmberg had the ultimate likelihood to maintain Sweden alive, however she skied her penalty over the bar, confirming England’s passage to the ultimate 4.
It was a heroic efficiency from England, not simply in overcoming a two-goal deficit however within the sheer composure they confirmed below essentially the most intense stress.
Hampton was undoubtedly the shootout hero, making three vital saves and standing tall in key moments.
For Sweden, it was heartbreak. They had been the higher aspect for big spells of the match and can rue their missed alternatives within the shootout.
Olme and Blackstenius have been excellent in open play, however finally, the margins in knockout soccer are razor-thin.
England now march into the semi-finals subsequent week, stuffed with adrenaline from a exceptional comeback and the nerves of metal they displayed when it mattered most.
