Friday's briefing: England beat Sweden on penalties to reach Euro 2025 semis
Meanwhile, American rapper Snoop Dogg has officially become co-owner of Championship club Swansea.
Lionesses on spot to reach Euro semis
Defending champions England reached the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Sweden.
An error-strewn opening 30 minutes from the Lionesses gifted Sweden a 2-0 lead through goals from Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius.
It took 79 minutes for Lucy Bronze to pull one back, but just 103 seconds later sub Michelle Agyemang sent the match into extra time.
Then, in a barmy shoot-out, Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved from Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton, while also blazing her own penalty over.
Meanwhile, England keeper Hannah Hampton kept out spot-kicks from Filippa Angeldahl and Sofia Jakobsson while Magdalend Eriksson hit a post.
When Bronze calmly stepped up to blast her penalty into the roof of the net Smilla Holmberg needed to score to keep Sweden in it – but she fired over the crossbar meaning England will face Italy for a place in the final.
Dogg days at Swansea
Global rap music megastar Snoop Dogg was announced as co-owner of Championship club Swansea.
The 53-year-old, who hinted at investing in the club by helping promote the club's shirt launch earlier this week, has joined Croatian midfielder Luka Modric in linking up with the Swans.
He said: 'My love of football is well known, but it feels special to me that I make my move into club ownership with Swansea City.
'The story of the club and the area really struck a chord with me. This is a proud, working class city and club. An underdog that bites back, just like me.'
United close in on Mbeumo
Manchester United have made an improved bid worth up to £70million for Brentford frontman Bryan Mbeumo, the PA news agency understands.
The 25-year-old has been a key target for Ruben Amorim's Red Devils, who made a first approach of £45m plus £10m in potential add-ons six weeks ago.
United followed that up with an improved proposal exceeding £60m a few weeks later but talks stalled as Brentford held on for a greater fee for Mbeumo.
The Old Trafford club have now made a new offer that PA understands to be worth £65m plus an additional £5m in potential add-ons as they attempt to sign the player before their pre-season tour to the United States.
Reds step up Ekitike bid
Liverpool are set to make an offer for striker Hugo Ekitike as talks with Eintracht Frankfurt progress, the PA news agency understands.
The highly-rated 23-year-old has attracted interest from the Premier League this summer having scored 22 goals in all competitions after making a loan move from Paris St Germain permanent last year.
Newcastle had looked at bringing in Ekitike as Liverpool considered a big-money move for Alexander Isak, who it is understood the Magpies valued at around £150million in an attempt to ward off potential suitors.
But the Reds are now pressing ahead with a deal for France international Ekitike, with it a case a matter of when rather than if a bid is submitted following talks.
Liverpool are reportedly preparing a deal in the region of 80million euros (£69.2million), with sources close to the player indicating that Newcastle look out of the race to sign a striker that Manchester United also hold interest in.
What's on today?
Euro 2025 favourites Spain take on hosts Switzerland in the third quarter-final.
The winners will face whoever comes out victorious between France and Germany on Friday.
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The Guardian
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From penalty taker to physio: Lucy Bronze is England's Swiss army knife
Lucy Bronze pinned up a picture of herself after the 2019 Women's World Cup bronze-medal match against Sweden, which England lost 2-1, for her teammates to see on a wall in the team hotel where players and staff share inspirational images. She was, in her words, 'absolutely exhausted' in it, hairband round her neck, shirt crumpled, hair awry, the physical, emotional and mental pain of the preceding 90 minutes visible. That photo represents so much to Bronze, England's stalwart right-back who no one has come close to replacing and likely never will. 'I will give anything and I will give everything when I play in an England shirt,' she says of that image of her at her most broken. 'I wanted all the girls to know that that's my why. My why is to give everything for this team because I just love playing for England so much.' 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I'm a very lucky person that I've worked with so many incredible people and incredible football players, and there are so, so many, but what she does, her mentality, and how she took that penalty and the goal … She gets it in the net, but that's not what defines her. What defines her is that resilience, that fight. I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.' At 33, 34 in October, Bronze is edging towards her career's close, but she is fighting the end, forcing it further and further into the future with each exhilarating performance. But it is not just the performances that matter. Bronze's experience and influence are significant and vital as the next generation comes through. England need her, not just at right-back, but everywhere and in every way.
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