England became the first country in Women’s Euros history to come from two goals behind in a knockout game and win it all.
Sweden, unlike when they played Germany, started on the front foot with an early goal by Kosovare Asllani, assisted by Stina Blackstenius in the second minute, who took advantage of a loose pass by Kiera Walsh.
Blackstenius made it two in the 25th minute with a composed finish after outpacing Jess Carter, bringing the keeper out, and slotting it in across the goal.
England then had an uphill battle. No team has come from two goals behind in a European knockout game to win.
Hannah Hampton made a key save from Fridolina Rolfo before halftime.
It was a similar performance to that of France, which is concerning that we fall to teams at a similar level to us
Leah Williamson made a crucial save for England to keep Sweden at bay. Still, given she’s played with Stina Blackstenius, you would think she would know her game well enough to know what she does best and be able to hopefully prevent that from occurring.
Two Nordic sweeps
Both teams have gone out so far to score maximum points in the group stage.
There is a big injury concern around Leah Williamson and her fitness status, which will likely be kept under wraps. England will train behind closed doors for the next two days, possibly to keep their lineup hidden from opposition, but there are no drones now.
Clearly, England got a talking to at halftime as they came out guns blazing with more intensity and a desire to win than they previously had.
Sarina Wiegman made so many changes in the 70th minute that I would have done them much earlier. She brought on Michelle Agyemang, Beth Mead, and Esme Morgan, followed by Super-sub Chloe Kelly eight minutes later.
Kelly made her impact known within minutes with a cross for Lucy Bronze to head in. A few minutes later, she assisted Agyemang, aged 19, in scoring the equaliser to bring England back.
Then it went to extra time. It was very touchy at times, with England players dropping like flies. Niamh Charles came on for Leah Williamson, and then it went to penalties.
The shootout was disastrous: Of the 14 penalties, only five were scored (36%) — UEFA’s lowest-ever conversion rate.
Hannah Hampton saved two kicks; Jennifer Falk, Sweden’s keeper, made four saves—tying a record—yet missed the decisive penalty by blasting her penalty over.
Lucy Bronze coolly netted England’s final pen; Sweden’s Smilla Holmberg skied the last kick, ending the shootout 3‑2 in England’s favour
Sarina Wiegman called it “the most chaotic” and “the hardest game” she’s watched, praising her subs and the team’s fight. Bronze, she described as "one of a kind"
England’s comeback ensured they remain the only defending champions since Germany (2009) to pass their quarter-final.
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