England defender Morgan still buzzing after wild shootout win
With the defending champions facing Italy in the semi-finals on Tuesday, the 24-year-old was still buzzing from Thursday's chaotic night in Zurich that featured injuries, a bloody nose, a mysterious note and a wacky shootout that will go down as one of the worst but one of the most memorable ever.
"Obviously that was ridiculous really, to sum it up in one word", Morgan said.
The one negative on the night was captain Leah Williamson limping off with an ankle injury, but Morgan said the team were optimistic she would be available to face Italy.
"She seemed in very high spirits this morning", she said.
Morgan was one of coach Sarina Wiegman's 70th-minute substitutes in the Sweden game. "Apparently my mom was sobbing when I came on, bless her", she said.
The television camera spotted Morgan handing a note to fellow defender Lucy Bronze. Morgan joked later on Instagram that the note said "Save us GOAT".
The 33-year-old Bronze was huge in England's victory, scoring in the 79th minute and then hastily unwrapping her taped hamstring to smash home the winning penalty in the shootout.
"We are all inspired by her mentality, she's a freak really in that she just has so much passion, energy, fight and she infects everyone else with it", Morgan said.
"That note might as well have said that because that's apparently what she read on it. She put her shoulders back and played like: 'I'm not letting us go home'".
IMPRESSIVE KELLY
Chloe Kelly was also impressive as a late substitute and was one of three England players who found the back of the net in the shootout with her oddball run-up — she lifts one hip high, does a little skip, before firing with her right.
"Chloe said afterward that she made eye contact with the goalkeeper (Jennifer Falk) and the keeper was smirking at her and she just started laughing", Morgan said. "The composure in that moment to be so free and at ease and confident to be able to laugh just shows what a brilliant player she is".
Morgan also praised keeper Hannah Hampton who made two saves in the shootout despite a bloody nostril stuffed with gauze thanks to an errant elbow earlier.
When asked if there was a moment during the match when she doubted England would win, Morgan said just before halftime.
"I thought 'I've not packed anything'", she laughed.
Many of the players stayed up well into the early morning after the win.
"It's just so hard to switch, especially when it's been such a game of roller-coaster emotions, your heart is just pounding and you keep replaying moments", she said.
"There was a lot of laughing at things that happened within the game, a few of us got together to watch that night's 'Love Island' episode to try and tire us out". — Reuters
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 hours ago
- Observer
Germany defeat France in shootout to reach Euro semis
BASEL: Ann-Katrin Berger pulled off a stunning final save as Germany beat France 6-5 in a penalty shootout to set up a Euro 2025 semifinal showdown with world champions Spain after a bruising encounter that ended 1-1 after extra time on Saturday. The Germans pulled off a superb comeback from a goal down and a straight red card for defender Kathrin Hendrich after 13 minutes, battling their way back into the game and eventually getting the better of their opponents in a thrilling shootout. Hendrich was sent off after a VAR review established that she had pulled the hair of Griedge Mbock Bathy in the box, and Grace Geyoro's subsequent penalty had the power to get over the line despite Berger getting a strong hand to it. On the ropes and struggling, the Germans suddenly levelled, Sjoeke Nuesken catching the defence napping by darting towards Klara Buehl's near-post corner and flashing a header into the net in the 25th minute. With the well-organised Germans defending doggedly, France had two goals ruled out for offside and Nuesken had a second-half penalty saved. Even before the penalty shootout, Berger pulled off a contender for the 'save of the tournament', back-pedalling before diving acrobatically to claw away Janina Minge's misdirected defensive header and keep the scores level. Germany's Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save. — Reuters With neither side managing to score in extra time the game went to penalties, and Berger got the shootout off to a great start for the Germans by saving from Amel Majri, but they were brought back to level pegging when Sara Daebrtiz struck her spot kick off the crossbar and over the goal. Berger, a cancer survivor who sports a tattoo to cover up a scar from her treatment that says 'All we have is now', then fired home from the spot herself before making her decisive save. She dived to her left to deny 21-year-old defender Alice Sombath, sending the Germans through to the last four. They will face Spain on Wednesday, a day after England face Italy in the other semifinal. 'For large parts of the game, you wouldn't notice we were one (player) less. I am incredibly proud,' Germany captain Minge said of her side's resilient comeback. 'I have to say, the fans were unbelievable. I don't know if I have ever experienced anything like that. You could see that we are ready for something big.' 'We know we'd done the hardest thing by opening the scoring against a team reduced to 10 (players). Penalties are difficult, we know that, and it's a shame for Alice because she's young and learning. You also have to take your hat off to Germany,' dejected France coach Laurent Bonadei said. — AFP
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
England defender Morgan still buzzing after wild shootout win
ZURICH: England defender Esme Morgan said on Saturday it had been difficult to sleep since her team's "ridiculous" come-from-behind quarter-final victory over Sweden with its wild penalty shootout that will not be soon forgotten. With the defending champions facing Italy in the semi-finals on Tuesday, the 24-year-old was still buzzing from Thursday's chaotic night in Zurich that featured injuries, a bloody nose, a mysterious note and a wacky shootout that will go down as one of the worst but one of the most memorable ever. "Obviously that was ridiculous really, to sum it up in one word", Morgan said. The one negative on the night was captain Leah Williamson limping off with an ankle injury, but Morgan said the team were optimistic she would be available to face Italy. "She seemed in very high spirits this morning", she said. Morgan was one of coach Sarina Wiegman's 70th-minute substitutes in the Sweden game. "Apparently my mom was sobbing when I came on, bless her", she said. The television camera spotted Morgan handing a note to fellow defender Lucy Bronze. Morgan joked later on Instagram that the note said "Save us GOAT". The 33-year-old Bronze was huge in England's victory, scoring in the 79th minute and then hastily unwrapping her taped hamstring to smash home the winning penalty in the shootout. "We are all inspired by her mentality, she's a freak really in that she just has so much passion, energy, fight and she infects everyone else with it", Morgan said. "That note might as well have said that because that's apparently what she read on it. She put her shoulders back and played like: 'I'm not letting us go home'". IMPRESSIVE KELLY Chloe Kelly was also impressive as a late substitute and was one of three England players who found the back of the net in the shootout with her oddball run-up — she lifts one hip high, does a little skip, before firing with her right. "Chloe said afterward that she made eye contact with the goalkeeper (Jennifer Falk) and the keeper was smirking at her and she just started laughing", Morgan said. "The composure in that moment to be so free and at ease and confident to be able to laugh just shows what a brilliant player she is". Morgan also praised keeper Hannah Hampton who made two saves in the shootout despite a bloody nostril stuffed with gauze thanks to an errant elbow earlier. When asked if there was a moment during the match when she doubted England would win, Morgan said just before halftime. "I thought 'I've not packed anything'", she laughed. Many of the players stayed up well into the early morning after the win. "It's just so hard to switch, especially when it's been such a game of roller-coaster emotions, your heart is just pounding and you keep replaying moments", she said. "There was a lot of laughing at things that happened within the game, a few of us got together to watch that night's 'Love Island' episode to try and tire us out". — Reuters
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
British men collect world relay golds 28 years late
LONDON: Britain's men's 4x400m relay team were presented with their gold medals from the 1997 World Championships at London's Diamond League meeting on Saturday having been elevated from silver after the belated disqualification of the US team. The US were stripped of the title won in Athens when Antonio Pettigrew confessed in 2008 to doping between 1997 and 2003. The US also lost their 2000 Olympic title. A laborious process of investigation, appeal and reallocation followed, culminating in Saturday's presentation by World Athletics President Seb Coe to Roger Black, Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson and Mark Hylton (who ran in the heats). The former athletes were giving a rousing welcome by the 60,000 sellout crowd, who then stood for a very belated national anthem. "We're proud to be able to give these athletes their moment in front of a home crowd. It's a chance to recognise not just their talent, but the values they stood for. This medal means even more because of how long they've waited for it", said Cherry Alexander, UK Athletics' strategic lead for major events. Pettigrew was found dead at the age of 42 in 2010 in his locked car in the United States, with an autopsy report saying he died by suicide after an overdose. Earlier on Saturday, the British government confirmed its support for bids to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, last held in London in 2017 in a regularly sold-out Olympic Stadium. "Bringing the World Athletics Championships to the UK would be a moment of great national pride, building on our global reputation for hosting memorable sporting events that showcase the very best talent", Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. "Hosting these championships would not only unlock opportunities for UK athletes but it would inspire the next generation to get involved and pursue their ambitions". The UK will also bid for the 2029 World Para Athletics championships, with a plan to hold events outside London. — Reuters
