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England vs Sweden live: Lionesses count injuries after surviving penalty drama to progress at Euro 2025

England vs Sweden live: Lionesses count injuries after surviving penalty drama to progress at Euro 2025

Independent4 days ago
England are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after surviving a thriller against Sweden, with Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton the heroes in the penalty shoot-out.
But a dramatic, gruelling win could have come at a cost ahead of Tuesday's semi-final against Italy after captain Leah Williamson was forced off with an ankle injury and Bronze and Lauren James were seen limping at the end of full-time.
The Lionesses began the match in the worst possible way and Sarina Wiegman 's side were punished for their defensive sloppiness as Kosovare Asllani sent Sweden ahead inside the opening two minutes before Stina Blackstenius doubled their lead.
Changes were made by the coach and the introduction of Chloe Kelly was the turning point with the Arsenal forward providing two assists as Bronze and Michelle Agyemang, another substitute, scored late in the game to force extra-time and penalties.
The shoot-out was low on quality, with nine misses in total and both goalkeepers on top form. Bronze rattled one down the middle to put England ahead at 3-2 and Hampton's heroics ensured England's title defence goes on.
Sarina Wiegman confirms major injury concern after Leah Williamson limps off England win
Sarina Wiegman confirmed that captain Leah Williamson rolled her ankle during England 's chaotic Euro 2025 win over Sweden and said the defender will be assessed before the semi-final against Italy on Tuesday.
'She rolled her ankle. She'll be assessed tomorrow,' Wiegman said in her press conference. 'I don't know what it is right now. She couldn't stay on the pitch so we had to take her off.'
Lauren James and Lucy Bronze also appeared to be limping, after staying on for extra time but Wiegman alleviated any further concerns by suggesting it was just fatigue.
Bronze, though, had strapping around her left leg during the game and walked through the mixed zone area in Zurich with ice on her right thigh after playing through pain to score the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.
Sarina Wiegman confirms major injury concern after Leah Williamson limps off
England's captain rolled her ankle and will be assessed before the semi-final against Italy
Jamie Braidwood18 July 2025 05:52
Hampton's bloody nose and nine missed penalties: How ridiculous England v Sweden shootout unfolded
England lived to fight another day at Euro 2025 after surviving a chaotic penalty shoot-out to beat Sweden and reach the semi-finals.
After England came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw following extra time, nine of the 14 penalties were missed in an extraordinary decider.
The Lionesses were a penalty away from going home on two occasions but Hannah Hampton and Lucy Bronze were the heroes as they progressed.
'I think we're all frustrated in the sense that we had our system, we've practised them every day, we've got our routines, and sometimes it doesn't go to plan,' Beth Mead said.
But after emerging through one of the worst penalty shoot-outs in major tournament history, England could still celebrate as they set up a semi-final with Italy.
Here's how it all unfolded
Hampton's bloody nose and nine missed penalties: How ridiculous shootout unfolded
England survived one of the worst penalty shoot-outs in major tournament history as Sweden twice missed the chance to reach the semi-finals
Jamie Braidwood18 July 2025 05:48
Lucy Bronze's iconic moment saves England and seals her place as a Lionesses legend
"One of a kind," Sarina Wiegman said of Lucy Bronze. Her "fighter" of a full-back certainly offered an image that will go down in England folklore, albeit after a team performance that won't quite be mentioned as prominently.
Only the spirit, appropriately, will prevail. After a series of absurd misses, in what might well have been one of the worst penalty shoot-outs in football history, a hobbling Bronze ripped off the strapping on her left leg, and strode forward. An astonishing eight of the 12 previous penalties had been squandered. Some had been missed in scarcely believable fashion, the emotional momentum of the shoot-out veering as wildly as some of the shots. So, Bronze just smashed it straight into the roof of the net.
Bronze was the personification of England perseverance, which is one quality you can certainly bank on - even in a performance like this.
Lucy Bronze's iconic moment saves England and seals her place as a Lionesses legend
England 2-2 Sweden (England win 3-2 on penalties): A battered and bruised Lucy Bronze epitomised the Lionesses' determination as she netted the decisive penalty to send them through to the semi-finals
Jamie Braidwood18 July 2025 05:41
England through to Euro 2025 semi-finals
England are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after surviving a thriller against Sweden, with Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton the heroes in the penalty shoot-out.
But a dramatic, gruelling win could have come at a cost ahead of Tuesday's semi-final against Italy after captain Leah Williamson was forced off with an ankle injury and Bronze and Lauren James were seen limping at the end of full-time.
The Lionesses began the match in the worst possible way and Sarina Wiegman's side were punished for their defensive sloppiness as Kosovare Asllani sent Sweden ahead inside the opening two minutes before Stina Blackstenius doubled their lead.
Changes were made by the coach and the introduction of Chloe Kelly was the turning point with the Arsenal forward providing two assists as Bronze and Michelle Agyemang, another substitute, scored late in the game to force extra-time and penalties.
The shoot-out was low on quality, with nine misses in total and both goalkeepers on top form. Bronze rattled one down the middle to put England ahead at 3-2 and Hampton's heroics ensured England's title defence goes on.
Jamie Braidwood18 July 2025 05:40
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Sarina Wiegman drops hint on major Jess Carter decision and slams racist trolls
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