England triumphed in a thrilling penalty shoot-out against Sweden in Zurich, keeping their hopes of consecutive Euros titles alive. Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk managed to save penalties from Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton, but missed her own opportunity to secure victory before England clinched the win in sudden death.
The shootout brought about a series of missed spot-kicks, as tension skyrocketed and both sides continued to awkwardly watch on.
Earlier in the match, substitute Chloe Kelly made an immediate impact, assisting Lucy Bronze for England’s first goal and playing a crucial role in Michelle Agyemang’s equaliser, which forced the game into extra time.
With a semi-final against Italy at stake, both teams fought hard during the additional 30 minutes, but ultimately, it was decided by penalties, with England emerging victorious. Kosovare Asllani had given Sweden an early lead in the second minute, putting England on the back foot.
The opposition could have extended their lead before Stina Blackstenius doubled it just before the half-hour mark, leaving England facing a two-goal deficit at half-time.
However, England’s substitutions proved pivotal. Lucy Bronze and substitute Michelle Agyemang scored within a minute of each other, drawing the reigning champions level with just 10 minutes remaining and forcing the game into extra time.
Sweden, having not lost a game in a full year, made two changes to their line-up, while England’s manager Sarina Wiegman kept faith with the same team that triumphed over the Netherlands. This meant Jess Carter was paired with Leah Williamson in central defence, a decision that seemed questionable as Sweden took an early lead.
Carter’s partially blocked pass led to Keira Walsh striking the ball against Filippa Angeldahl, which then fell kindly for Blackstenius to set up Asllani who slotted the ball past Hannah Hampton.
Another misplaced pass from Carter nearly resulted in a second goal for Sweden, but Williamson managed a crucial block to deny her Arsenal teammate Blackstenius after Hampton failed to control the ball.
England did manage to create a scoring opportunity, only for Jennifer Falk to tip Lauren Hemp’s shot onto the bar. However, Sweden doubled their lead before half-time, with Carter unable to stop Blackstenius from latching onto Julia Zigiotti Olme’s through-ball and beating Hampton.
In the second half, England showed more aggression, switching Hemp to the right and Lauren James to the left, but their search for a goal left them exposed at the back. In a bid to turn the tide, Wiegman brought on Michelle Agyemang, Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly to bolster the attack in the final stages.
However, it was a member of the defence who reduced the deficit, with Bronze sneaking in at the back post to head home a long-range cross from Chloe Kelly. Almost immediately after that goal, England equalised.
Another cross from Kelly was nudged on by Mead and there was Agyemang to coolly slot the ball into the net.