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News18
18-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Women's Euro: England Secure Semifinal Spot As Dramatic Comeback Stuns Sweden
Last Updated: Defending champion England made a stunning comeback against Sweden, drawing 2-2 and winning the penalty shootout 3-2 to reach the semifinals. With just 12 minutes left, defending champion England was on the brink of elimination from the Women's European Championship. However, the Lionesses made a stunning comeback with two quick goals, drawing 2-2 against Sweden and then winning the penalty shootout to secure a place in the semifinals. 'Very hyper, still very emotional, I think lots of adrenaline still in my body, I mean," England coach Sarina Wiegman said, describing it as the most chaotic match she had ever experienced. 'I can't remember anything like this. I think that's a quality that's so strong from this team, that together they're fighting back and not playing well, but sticking together, that shows so much resilience." The penalty shootout included nine missed attempts before England emerged victorious 3-2. Eighteen-year-old Smilla Holmberg missed the decisive shot after Lucy Bronze had confidently scored for the Lionesses. 'Stressful. Stressful watching, stressful playing," England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton told the BBC when asked about the shootout. 'Every time I saved one I was thinking 'please just put it in so we have a bit of a cushion.' Their keeper then just went and saved the next one and I was thinking 'oh goodness, here we go.'" England was relieved to reach the penalty stage, as their earliest exit from a major tournament in over a decade loomed before goals from Bronze and teenage substitute Michelle Agyemang forced extra time. It marked the first time in Women's Euros history that a team had fought back from a two-goal deficit in a knockout match. 'Today I thought three times we were out," Wiegman said. 'And then when you miss so many penalties then I was really conscious 'OK now it's done' and then they missed again. So that needs a little bit of luck of course that they then missed, for them of course the most horrible way to go out of the tournament and for us maybe even more exciting." England will now face Italy in a semifinal in Geneva on Tuesday. Sweden had dominated its group with maximum points after three wins, including a memorable 4-1 victory over Germany, and continued their strong form in Zurich. England seemed on the back foot from the start. A pass deflected off Filippa Angeldahl and landed with Stina Blackstenius, who set up an unmarked Kosovare Asllani to score in the bottom left corner just 1 minute, 46 seconds into the match. Sweden exploited space on the right flank again to double their lead. Blackstenius raced onto Julia Zigiotti Olme's pass, held off Jess Carter, and calmly slotted the ball into the far bottom corner. Hampton made crucial saves to deny Fridolina Rolfö and Blackstenius, keeping England in the game. Chloe Kelly was introduced in the 78th minute and immediately impacted by crossing from the left for Bronze to head in at the back post. Just two minutes later, another precise cross was nodded down for substitute Agyemang to head in the equaliser. It was the 19-year-old's second goal for England in her third appearance. With few chances in extra time, penalties were needed to separate the teams. Both Sweden and England had won their last penalty shootouts in the round of 16 at the 2023 World Cup. Four players from each side missed their spot kicks before Bronze scored hers, and Holmberg shot over. Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved four penalties but missed her own attempt. This shootout evened the teams' records at the Euros. The only other time they had faced off in a shootout was in the 1984 final, which Sweden won. 'All analysis feels fairly pointless right now, right now it's melancholy. You feel a certain sadness that it turned out this way," said Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson, who is leaving after eight years in charge, during which he led the team to two World Cup semifinals, a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and the Euro 2022 semifinals. First Published: July 18, 2025, 14:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Glasgow Times
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
England into Euro 2025 semi-finals after nail-biting shootout win over Sweden
Bronze's successful kick, coupled with Smilla Holmberg's miss, earned the Lionesses a 3-2 win on penalties after they had staged a stirring late fightback to snatch a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes. An early mistake allowed Kosovare Asllani to fire Sweden into a second-minute lead, assisted by Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius, who doubled the advantage in the 25th minute. Bronze, at 33 the oldest player in Sarina Wiegman's squad, gave England a fighting chance when she nodded home in the 79th minute before 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang, the youngest of the group winning just her third cap, scored to force extra-time. Bronze finally decided the contest with England's seventh spot-kick of an error-strewn shootout, her emphatic effort proving decisive as Holmberg fired over for Sweden. England boss Wiegman kept with the same starting line-up from their final group-stage victory over Wales, but her side got off to a terrible start when a poor pass from Jess Carter caught the foot of the closing Asllani. The trajectory proved challenging for Keira Walsh, whose own attempt to clear hit Filippa Angeldal, the ball bouncing out favourably for Blackstenius, who teed up her captain for a top-corner finish. Blackstenius – who scored the winner in Arsenal's Champions League final victory over Barcelona in May – nearly doubled Sweden's lead after England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was caught out of position, only to be denied by a vital intervention by her Gunners team-mate Leah Williamson. Lauren Hemp then came inches away from equalising, hitting the bar with England's first real chance before Blackstenius did double Sweden's advantage. Stina Blackstenius (right) put Sweden 2-0 up (Nick Potts/PA). Sweden's forced a turnover, allowing Julia Zigiotti Olme to slip a pass down the right to Blackstenius, who, one-on-one with Carter, outpaced the England defender and slotted her third goal of the tournament into the bottom left corner. England were not at the races and made it too easy for Fridolina Rolfo to test Hampton, who made a big stoppage-time save at the end of the first half. Another alert save by the Chelsea keeper denied Blackstenius a second after the restart. An unchanged England looked a bit brighter, but every ball the Lionesses delivered into the area was blocked by a yellow shirt. Lauren Hemp was beaten to a cross by Sweden keeper Jennifer Falk when she tried to halve the deficit with a header and Ella Toone looked to have a chance but elected to pass the ball, which was then intercepted and cleared. Wiegman made her first changes with 20 minutes remaining, introducing Beth Mead, Esme Morgan and Agyemang for Toone, Carter and Georgia Stanway, then Chloe Kelly for Hemp soon after. Michelle Agyemang brought England level (Nick Potts/PA). And it was Kelly who made an instant impact, her deep cross picking out Bronze, who cushioned a header past Falk to give England hope. Those goal celebrations had scarcely subsided when Agyemang pounced on a loose ball from another Kelly cross, which had come off initial target Mead, and poked home. It proved enough to force extra-time after Hampton mitigated another England mistake when she palmed away Madelen Janogy's effort. She then leapt to her right to keep out Angeldahl's effort from distance, when neither side able to find a winner in the additional 30 minutes. Alessia Russo coolly converted past a diving Falk with the first penalty of the shootout and all looked to be going well for England when Hampton then denied Angeldal. But Falk saved from Lauren James and Olme blasted into the top corner before Mead saw her effort saved. The drama then dialled up when Magdalena Eriksson's effort clipped a post and Falk made another save to deny Alex Greenwood. England's hopes were hanging by a thread when Nathalie Bjorn sent her Chelsea team-mate Hampton the wrong way, but Kelly's ice-cold conversion kept them alive before Falk, with the chance to win it, blazed over. The Sweden keeper atoned to deny Grace Clinton, but Sofia Jakobsson missed and Bronze planted her penalty into the roof of the net before Holmberg's miss sparked wild celebrations on the England bench.
North Wales Chronicle
18-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
England into Euro 2025 semi-finals after nail-biting shootout win over Sweden
Bronze's successful kick, coupled with Smilla Holmberg's miss, earned the Lionesses a 3-2 win on penalties after they had staged a stirring late fightback to snatch a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes. An early mistake allowed Kosovare Asllani to fire Sweden into a second-minute lead, assisted by Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius, who doubled the advantage in the 25th minute. 'Beautiful chaos!' 🙌 Those SCENES! 🌟 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025 Bronze, at 33 the oldest player in Sarina Wiegman's squad, gave England a fighting chance when she nodded home in the 79th minute before 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang, the youngest of the group winning just her third cap, scored to force extra-time. Bronze finally decided the contest with England's seventh spot-kick of an error-strewn shootout, her emphatic effort proving decisive as Holmberg fired over for Sweden. England boss Wiegman kept with the same starting line-up from their final group-stage victory over Wales, but her side got off to a terrible start when a poor pass from Jess Carter caught the foot of the closing Asllani. The trajectory proved challenging for Keira Walsh, whose own attempt to clear hit Filippa Angeldal, the ball bouncing out favourably for Blackstenius, who teed up her captain for a top-corner finish. Blackstenius – who scored the winner in Arsenal's Champions League final victory over Barcelona in May – nearly doubled Sweden's lead after England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was caught out of position, only to be denied by a vital intervention by her Gunners team-mate Leah Williamson. Lauren Hemp then came inches away from equalising, hitting the bar with England's first real chance before Blackstenius did double Sweden's advantage. Sweden's forced a turnover, allowing Julia Zigiotti Olme to slip a pass down the right to Blackstenius, who, one-on-one with Carter, outpaced the England defender and slotted her third goal of the tournament into the bottom left corner. England were not at the races and made it too easy for Fridolina Rolfo to test Hampton, who made a big stoppage-time save at the end of the first half. Another alert save by the Chelsea keeper denied Blackstenius a second after the restart. An unchanged England looked a bit brighter, but every ball the Lionesses delivered into the area was blocked by a yellow shirt. Lauren Hemp was beaten to a cross by Sweden keeper Jennifer Falk when she tried to halve the deficit with a header and Ella Toone looked to have a chance but elected to pass the ball, which was then intercepted and cleared. Wiegman made her first changes with 20 minutes remaining, introducing Beth Mead, Esme Morgan and Agyemang for Toone, Carter and Georgia Stanway, then Chloe Kelly for Hemp soon after. And it was Kelly who made an instant impact, her deep cross picking out Bronze, who cushioned a header past Falk to give England hope. Those goal celebrations had scarcely subsided when Agyemang pounced on a loose ball from another Kelly cross, which had come off initial target Mead, and poked home. It proved enough to force extra-time after Hampton mitigated another England mistake when she palmed away Madelen Janogy's effort. She then leapt to her right to keep out Angeldahl's effort from distance, when neither side able to find a winner in the additional 30 minutes. Alessia Russo coolly converted past a diving Falk with the first penalty of the shootout and all looked to be going well for England when Hampton then denied Angeldal. But Falk saved from Lauren James and Olme blasted into the top corner before Mead saw her effort saved. Hannah Hampton. HERO. 🧤 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025 The drama then dialled up when Magdalena Eriksson's effort clipped a post and Falk made another save to deny Alex Greenwood. England's hopes were hanging by a thread when Nathalie Bjorn sent her Chelsea team-mate Hampton the wrong way, but Kelly's ice-cold conversion kept them alive before Falk, with the chance to win it, blazed over. The Sweden keeper atoned to deny Grace Clinton, but Sofia Jakobsson missed and Bronze planted her penalty into the roof of the net before Holmberg's miss sparked wild celebrations on the England bench.
South Wales Guardian
18-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
England into Euro 2025 semi-finals after nail-biting shootout win over Sweden
Bronze's successful kick, coupled with Smilla Holmberg's miss, earned the Lionesses a 3-2 win on penalties after they had staged a stirring late fightback to snatch a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes. An early mistake allowed Kosovare Asllani to fire Sweden into a second-minute lead, assisted by Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius, who doubled the advantage in the 25th minute. 'Beautiful chaos!' 🙌 Those SCENES! 🌟 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025 Bronze, at 33 the oldest player in Sarina Wiegman's squad, gave England a fighting chance when she nodded home in the 79th minute before 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang, the youngest of the group winning just her third cap, scored to force extra-time. Bronze finally decided the contest with England's seventh spot-kick of an error-strewn shootout, her emphatic effort proving decisive as Holmberg fired over for Sweden. England boss Wiegman kept with the same starting line-up from their final group-stage victory over Wales, but her side got off to a terrible start when a poor pass from Jess Carter caught the foot of the closing Asllani. The trajectory proved challenging for Keira Walsh, whose own attempt to clear hit Filippa Angeldal, the ball bouncing out favourably for Blackstenius, who teed up her captain for a top-corner finish. Blackstenius – who scored the winner in Arsenal's Champions League final victory over Barcelona in May – nearly doubled Sweden's lead after England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was caught out of position, only to be denied by a vital intervention by her Gunners team-mate Leah Williamson. Lauren Hemp then came inches away from equalising, hitting the bar with England's first real chance before Blackstenius did double Sweden's advantage. Sweden's forced a turnover, allowing Julia Zigiotti Olme to slip a pass down the right to Blackstenius, who, one-on-one with Carter, outpaced the England defender and slotted her third goal of the tournament into the bottom left corner. England were not at the races and made it too easy for Fridolina Rolfo to test Hampton, who made a big stoppage-time save at the end of the first half. Another alert save by the Chelsea keeper denied Blackstenius a second after the restart. An unchanged England looked a bit brighter, but every ball the Lionesses delivered into the area was blocked by a yellow shirt. Lauren Hemp was beaten to a cross by Sweden keeper Jennifer Falk when she tried to halve the deficit with a header and Ella Toone looked to have a chance but elected to pass the ball, which was then intercepted and cleared. Wiegman made her first changes with 20 minutes remaining, introducing Beth Mead, Esme Morgan and Agyemang for Toone, Carter and Georgia Stanway, then Chloe Kelly for Hemp soon after. And it was Kelly who made an instant impact, her deep cross picking out Bronze, who cushioned a header past Falk to give England hope. Those goal celebrations had scarcely subsided when Agyemang pounced on a loose ball from another Kelly cross, which had come off initial target Mead, and poked home. It proved enough to force extra-time after Hampton mitigated another England mistake when she palmed away Madelen Janogy's effort. She then leapt to her right to keep out Angeldahl's effort from distance, when neither side able to find a winner in the additional 30 minutes. Alessia Russo coolly converted past a diving Falk with the first penalty of the shootout and all looked to be going well for England when Hampton then denied Angeldal. But Falk saved from Lauren James and Olme blasted into the top corner before Mead saw her effort saved. Hannah Hampton. HERO. 🧤 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025 The drama then dialled up when Magdalena Eriksson's effort clipped a post and Falk made another save to deny Alex Greenwood. England's hopes were hanging by a thread when Nathalie Bjorn sent her Chelsea team-mate Hampton the wrong way, but Kelly's ice-cold conversion kept them alive before Falk, with the chance to win it, blazed over. The Sweden keeper atoned to deny Grace Clinton, but Sofia Jakobsson missed and Bronze planted her penalty into the roof of the net before Holmberg's miss sparked wild celebrations on the England bench.
Irish Independent
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
England see off Sweden after nine missed penalties in shootout to reach Euro 2025 semi-finals
Bronze's successful kick, coupled with Smilla Holmberg's miss, earned the Lionesses a 3-2 win on penalties after they had staged a stirring late fightback to snatch a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes. An early mistake allowed Kosovare Asllani to fire Sweden into a second-minute lead, assisted by Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius, who doubled the advantage in the 25th minute. Bronze, at 33 the oldest player in Sarina Wiegman's squad, gave England a fighting chance when she nodded home in the 79th minute before 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang, the youngest of the group winning just her third cap, scored to force extra-time. Bronze finally decided the contest with England's seventh spot-kick of an error-strewn shootout, her emphatic effort proving decisive as Holmberg fired over for Sweden. England boss Wiegman kept with the same starting line-up from their final group-stage victory over Wales, but her side got off to a terrible start when a poor pass from Jess Carter caught the foot of the closing Asllani. The trajectory proved challenging for Keira Walsh, whose own attempt to clear hit Filippa Angeldal, the ball bouncing out favourably for Blackstenius, who teed up her captain for a top-corner finish. Blackstenius - who scored the winner in Arsenal's Champions League final victory over Barcelona in May - nearly doubled Sweden's lead after England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was caught out of position, only to be denied by a vital intervention by her Gunners team-mate Leah Williamson. Lauren Hemp then came inches away from equalising, hitting the bar with England's first real chance before Blackstenius did double Sweden's advantage. Sweden's forced a turnover, allowing Julia Zigiotti Olme to slip a pass down the right to Blackstenius, who, one-on-one with Carter, outpaced the England defender and slotted her third goal of the tournament into the bottom left corner. England were not at the races and made it too easy for Fridolina Rolfo to test Hampton, who made a big stoppage-time save at the end of the first half. Another alert save by the Chelsea keeper denied Blackstenius a second after the restart. An unchanged England looked a bit brighter, but every ball the Lionesses delivered into the area was blocked by a yellow shirt. Lauren Hemp was beaten to a cross by Sweden keeper Jennifer Falk when she tried to halve the deficit with a header and Ella Toone looked to have a chance but elected to pass the ball, which was then intercepted and cleared. Wiegman made her first changes with 20 minutes remaining, introducing Beth Mead, Esme Morgan and Agyemang for Toone, Carter and Georgia Stanway, then Chloe Kelly for Hemp soon after. And it was Kelly who made an instant impact, her deep cross picking out Bronze, who cushioned a header past Falk to give England hope. Those goal celebrations had scarcely subsided when Agyemang pounced on a loose ball from another Kelly cross, which had come off initial target Mead, and poked home. It proved enough to force extra-time after Hampton mitigated another England mistake when she palmed away Madelen Janogy's effort. She then leapt to her right to keep out Angeldahl's effort from distance, when neither side able to find a winner in the additional 30 minutes. Alessia Russo coolly converted past a diving Falk with the first penalty of the shootout and all looked to be going well for England when Hampton then denied Angeldal. But Falk saved from Lauren James and Olme blasted into the top corner before Mead saw her effort saved. The drama then dialled up when Magdalena Eriksson's effort clipped a post and Falk made another save to deny Alex Greenwood. England's hopes were hanging by a thread when Nathalie Bjorn sent her Chelsea team-mate Hampton the wrong way, but Kelly's ice-cold conversion kept them alive before Falk, with the chance to win it, blazed over. The Sweden keeper atoned to deny Grace Clinton, but Sofia Jakobsson missed and Bronze planted her penalty into the roof of the net before Holmberg's miss sparked wild celebrations on the England bench.
