England have booked their place within the semi-finals of the Girls’s Euros after knocking out Sweden.
The Lionesses gained 3-2 on penalties at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, after clawing their method again to take the sport into extra-time.
The defending champions had been 2-0 down at half-time after targets from Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius within the quarter-final conflict.
England then levelled issues after the break. Lucy Bronze delivered the primary England aim, assisted by substitute Chloe Kelly. Two minutes later, Michelle Agyemang adopted swimsuit, taking the rating to 2-2.
Picture:
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton (R) celebrates with teammates after the aspect beat Sweden. Pic: AP
Picture:
Bronze’s penalty saved England’s hopes alive. Pic: Reuters
After a goalless extra-time, all of it got here all the way down to penalties.
Alessia Russo kicked issues off, discovering the again of the online for England, earlier than Lauren James and Alex Greenwood had their makes an attempt saved by Sweden’s Jennifer Falk.
The sport was despatched into sudden demise after Falk went face-to-face with England’s Hannah Hampton however despatched the ball flying over the crossbar.
Picture:
Pic: Reuters
Picture:
A devastated Sweden. Pic: Reuters
All of it got here all the way down to Sweden’s seventh penalty after Bronze sensationally scored, with 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg lacking the possibility to ship her crew by.
England will subsequent face Italy within the semi-finals in Geneva on Tuesday.
Picture:
Sarina Wiegman after the match. Pic: Reuters
‘That was loopy’
England boss Sarina Wiegman described the motion as “one of the hardest games I’ve ever watched”.
“We could have been out of the game three or four times, when you’re 2-0 at half-time it’s not good,” she stated after the match.
“Although we started really bad. At the end it got better, but we didn’t create anything so we had to change shape, and we score two goals – that was crazy.”
“We miss a lot [of penalties], and they miss even more. I need to decompress, I think.”
Picture:
Michelle Agyemang reacts after levelling the sport for the Lionesses. Pic: Reuters
Picture:
Pic: Reuters
Strain was on the Lionesses after they gained the event in 2022.
Their journey within the group stage began with a defeat to France, however hopes have been lifted after England sailed previous the Netherlands and Wales to achieve the knockout phases.
Sweden alternatively went into Thursday’s recreation unbeaten within the event to this point, having already defeated Germany, Poland and Denmark within the group phases.
