In a rollercoaster of emotions at Euro 2025, England's Lionesses pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Sweden in a quarter-final that will be remembered for its dramatic twists and nerve-wracking penalty shootout. After trailing 2-0 for much of the match, England clawed their way back with two quickfire goals, forcing extra time and eventually prevailing 3-2 in a penalty shootout that tested nerves on both sides.
The match started disastrously for England, with Sweden's Kosovare Asllani scoring inside two minutes and Stina Blackstenius doubling the lead in the first half. England’s defensive frailties were exposed early, with Jess Carter's errors contributing to Sweden’s dominance. Despite a strong defensive effort from Sweden, England found themselves under immense pressure, barely threatening the Swedish goal in the first half.
Manager Sarina Wiegman, who called the match “one of the hardest games I’ve ever watched,” made crucial tactical changes in the second half. Introducing Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Michelle Agyemang, and Esme Morgan, Wiegman switched to a 3-4-3 formation that transformed the game. Kelly, the hero from Euro 2022, was central to the turnaround, delivering two precise assists in just 103 seconds. Her crosses set up veteran defender Lucy Bronze and young striker Michelle Agyemang to score, leveling the match at 2-2 and sending it into extra time.
England’s resilience was epitomized by Bronze, a five-time Women’s Champions League winner competing in her seventh major tournament. Despite carrying a knock and having hurt her leg during the game, she showed remarkable leadership and composure, especially in the penalty shootout. Bronze described the shootout as “both overwhelming and underwhelming,” capturing the nerve-wracking but erratic nature of the spot-kicks.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who had to deal with a bloodied nose from a collision in extra time, was a standout performer for England. She saved two penalties during the shootout and made a crucial save to keep England’s chances alive. Hampton’s heroics were vital, especially as Sweden’s goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved four penalties, displaying remarkable shot-stopping skills.
The penalty shootout was a bizarre spectacle, with nine spot-kicks missed in total. England took the first penalty, with Alessia Russo firing a powerful shot past Falk. Sweden’s Filippa Angeldahl’s effort was saved by Hampton, but England’s Lauren James and Beth Mead both had their penalties saved by Falk, keeping the shootout tense. Sweden’s Julia Zigiotti Olme and Nathalie Bjorn scored to keep their team in the hunt, but a crucial miss by Sweden’s goalkeeper Falk, who blasted her penalty over the crossbar, shifted momentum back to England.
Chloe Kelly, who had already provided two assists, confidently converted her penalty to level the shootout at 2-2. The sudden death phase saw Grace Clinton miss for England, but Hampton saved Sweden’s Sofia Jakobsson, keeping England’s hopes alive. Then came the defining moment: Lucy Bronze stepped up and struck an emphatic penalty into the roof of the net, putting England ahead 3-2. Sweden’s 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg then missed her kick, sending it high over the bar, sealing a remarkable victory for the Lionesses.
The win keeps England’s hopes of back-to-back European titles alive as they prepare to face Italy in the semi-finals on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Geneva. Italy booked their spot with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Norway, courtesy of Cristiana Girelli’s late winner, marking their first Women’s Euros semi-final appearance since 1997.
Reflecting on the match, Wiegman praised the team’s character and resilience. “We could have been out four or five times during the game,” she said. “We started really badly, got better but couldn’t create anything, then we changed shape and scored two goals. That was crazy already. Then extra time, some players were injured and had cramp, Hannah had blood all over the place. We missed a lot and they missed even more and we’re through. I need to decompress. We showed that we’re absolutely never done.”
Hampton echoed the sentiment, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster of the shootout. “It was stressful watching, stressful playing. 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’.” She also credited the fans’ unwavering support for giving her an edge during the shootout.
Lucy Bronze, who also scored the crucial penalty that put England ahead in the shootout, revealed that she had hurt her leg during the match, which influenced her decision to shoot down the middle after observing that the Swedish goalkeeper tended to dive early. “Statistically in a penalty shootout it’s quite risky for the goalkeeper to stand still and go down the middle,” Bronze explained. “I love maths. I’ve been around long enough. I need to know the ins and outs of the game.”
Chloe Kelly’s introduction was widely hailed as the turning point of the match. The Arsenal forward, who was calm under pressure, said, “We knew we had to bounce back; we weren’t at our best in the first half, but we knew we were capable of doing so and we showed that. The girls coming onto the pitch did their jobs, executed it really well. That just shows, with the whole squad, when you’re needed, you take your moment.”
Captain Leah Williamson, forced off with an ankle injury during extra time, expressed immense pride in her team’s fighting spirit. “That was awful to watch at the end but I just love that we never give up. We don’t believe that we’re ever done. The fightback, the quality to turn the game around and stay in it mentally is just incredible.”
Despite the win, England face challenges ahead, with Williamson’s injury and knocks to Bronze and James raising concerns about their fitness for the semi-final clash. Nevertheless, the team’s determination and depth were evident as substitutes played a pivotal role in the comeback.
The Swedish side, who had topped their group with an impressive defensive record and had soundly beaten Germany 4-1 in the group stage, were left stunned by England’s resilience. Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani acknowledged the challenge, saying, “We look up the word courage. Of course you have to respect one of the best sides in the world but we have the perfect game plan for this match. In our minds there is only one outcome and that is to win the game.”
England’s victory was described by former players and pundits as a display of character and resilience. Ellen White called the shootout “terrifying watching,” while Karen Bardsley praised England’s “amazing” comeback and the “authority from Bronze.” Steph Houghton affirmed that the Lionesses have what it takes to reach the final.
Fans were equally captivated, describing the shootout as the “greatest and worst of all time,” highlighting the mix of brilliant saves and missed opportunities. Lucy Bronze was lauded as a true leader and star performer, while Kelly’s impact was seen as crucial.
As England look ahead to the semi-final against Italy, the team will need to recover quickly and bring their best to the pitch. Italy, though ranked lower, have shown grit and determination, making this next challenge far from straightforward. Bronze herself cautioned against underestimating the Italians, noting their hunger and the significance of their first semi-final appearance in nearly three decades.
For now, England’s Lionesses can savor a hard-fought victory that embodies their fighting spirit and refusal to give up, keeping their dreams of European glory alive.
