England through after Sweden shootout

England are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2025, after a hugely dramatic showdown with Sweden in Zurich.

The Lionesses looked down and out as they trailed by two goals entering the last 15 minutes.

Kosovare Asllani pounced on a defensive mix-up to give the Swedes a second-minute lead and Stina Blackstenius doubled the advantage before the half-hour mark.

Lauren Hemp hit the bar for England, while our very own Ella Toone also had a couple of chances before she was taken off for Beth Mead midway through the second period.

ENGLAND WIN ON PENALTIES!!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/b2Tk1lgmuL

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 17, 2025

It was Sarina Wiegman’s changes that proved pivotal for the holders, who halved the deficit when Lucy Bronze ghosted in at the far post to bury Chloe Kelly’s cross.

Kelly then jinked into space on the left and, after Sweden failed to clear her centre, Michelle Agyemang finished coolly and sent the contest into extra-time.

Another Red was introduced during the additional 30 minutes, as Grace Clinton helped England weather a second Sweden storm in the attritional added period.

It went to penalties and, although England had the early advantage, misses from Lauren James, Mead and Alex Greenwood gave goalkeeper Jennifer Falk the opportunity to send Sweden through.

But Falk’s effort was high, wide and handsome – and the shootout went to sudden death.

She redeemed herself by saving Clinton’s penalty, although Sofia Jakobsson could not capitalise when glory beckoned as Hannah Hampton palmed her pen away.

Bronze made no mistake with the seventh of England’s spot-kicks, and when teenager Smilia Holmberg also missed the target, England were finally able to celebrate.

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 17, 2025

Congratulations to Ella, Grace and unused substitute Maya Le Tissier.

The Lionesses’ title defence will continue when they play Italy in the semi-final next Tuesday.

The other quarter-finals see Spain face Switzerland on Friday, and Melvine Malard’s France take on Germany this Saturday.

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