In a roller coaster competition that sank for more than 130 minutes, England triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout against Sweden to reserve their place in the Euro 2025 semi-final.
The lionesses showed incredible resilience to go up two goals, finally sealing their place against Italy thanks to a final penalty made up of Lucy Bronze and crucial stops by goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
Sweden came out of the flying blocks in the first half, taking England out of their intensity and their deductible.
It only took the Swedish to open the scoring, after Kosovare Asllai hung on to a smart pass from Stina Blackstenius and pressed the ball in the lower corner after Hampton.
England looked shocked and struggled to impose itself, dominant Sweden.
A little over twenty minutes later, the Swedish advantage was doubled. Julia Zigiotti Olme divided the defense of England with a Ballon in Blackstenius, which pierced a low finish beyond Hampton to do it 2-0.
The defense generally composed of England was disjointed and their attack efforts were largely canceled in the first 45 minutes.
We never left.
England is in the # WEURO2025 Semi-final ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gu8o4vxc3z
– lionesses (@lionesses) July 17, 2025
Lauren HEMPLE and ALESSIA RUSSO both got closer but did not find the breakthrough, with Jennifer Falk with the aim of Sweden showing calm and safe hands throughout the first half.
England has made several changes to the 70 -minute brand to trigger a turnaround. Michelle Agyemang, Beth Mead and Esme Morgan were all presented while manager Sarina Wiegman sought to inject rhythm and creativity.
The change of momentum was immediate. Chloe Kelly also got out of the bench and turned out to change the game.
In the 79th minute, Kelly curled up in a delicious right cross, and Lucy Bronze met her with the rear post, making the deficit in half.
Two minutes later, England was level. Mead, another substitute, broke out on the right and saw his head blocked in the box. The ball fell gently in Agyemang, who reacted the fastest to sting it in front of Falk at a bland point.
The two parties were likely to save it in regular time. Alessia Russo had a shot blocked in dying moments, while Madelen Janogy tested Hampton with a curling strike.
With the score locked at 2-2, the match went in additional time.
WHAT. A. Moment. 😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/sveapjeiys
– lionesses (@lionesses) July 17, 2025
Extract and madness penalty
The next 30 minutes were fiercely disputed, the two teams fighting not only, but also the growing tension.
Sweden got closer to Lina Hurtig, whose head was distant by Hampton, and Nathalie Bjorn, who narrowly missed a set of set.
England also had their moments – Bronze had a long -range shot blocked and Russo was just out of target with a late attempt.
Substitutions continued in additional periods. The injuries forced Leah Williamson and Kosovare Asllani, while fresh legs in the form of Sofia Jakobsson, Amanda Nilden and Rebecka Blomqvist were deployed by Sweden.
England caused Grace Clinton, who slipped in the midfield while the penalties were taking advantage of.
While the final whistle was blowing with the score of 2-2, the atmosphere was electric and the pressure huge. A penalty shootout would decide the winner.
Alessia Russo opened the shooting with confidence for England, pulling down in the area. Sweden Filippa Angeldahl intensified and saw its shot saved by Hampton.
Incredibleeee !!!!!!! 🔥
WE ARE # WEURO2025 Semi-finalists! 😍 pic.twitter.com/za2bua4axs
– lionesses (@lionesses) July 17, 2025
Lauren James and Beth Mead were both refused by Falk in successive attempts, but Sweden failed to capitalize with Magdalena Eriksson hit the post, and Jennifer Falk has flambé.
The shooting has become a battle of nerves. Chloe Kelly propelled her penalty into the upper corner to bring the level of England to 2-2. Nathalie Bjorn marked to restore the hope of Sweden, but Sofia Jakobsson’s efforts were saved by the superb Hampton.
The bronze then held its nerve, exploding its shot in the high center of the goal of putting England by the abyss.
Smilla Holmberg had the last chance to maintain Sweden alive, but she skied her penalty on the bar, confirming the passage of England in the final Four.
It was a heroic performance of England, not only to overcome a deficit of two goals, but in the composure they showed under the most intense pressure.
Hampton was undoubtedly the hero shootout, making three critical stops and standing in key moments.
For Sweden, it was sorrow. They had been the best side for the big spells of the match and would fill their missed opportunities during the shooting.
Olme and Blackstenius were superb in the open game, but ultimately, the margins of direct elimination football are thin like a razor.
England is now walking in the semi-finals next week, full of adrenaline with a remarkable return and the nerves of the steel they showed when it mattered the most.
