England, coached by Sarina Wiegman, narrowly reached the semi-finals of the European Women’s Football Championship in Switzerland on Thursday. The defending champions won in Zurich after a comeback and a remarkable penalty shootout against Sweden: 2-2.
England had a disastrous start and were already 2-0 down within 25 minutes. The vice-world champion equalized just before the end of normal time, followed by extra time and a penalty shootout. In the remarkable penalty series with many misses, England ultimately proved to be the strongest.
As a result, England remains hopeful of retaining their title. The team was the best at the European Championship in their own country three years ago. Wiegman’s team then won the European title for the first time by defeating Germany in the final.
Sweden misses out on their fifth semi-final spot at the European Championship this century. The Scandinavian team was eliminated in the semi-finals by England three years ago. The 1984 European title is the only prize Sweden has won to date.
England will play against Italy in the semi-finals of the European Championship next Tuesday, after Italy won 1-2 against Norway on Wednesday.
England experiences a dramatic start
England had a miserable start to the match. After a poor pass from Jess Carter, Keira Walsh lost possession, after which Stina Blackstenius served teammate Kosovare Asllani. The Swedish attacker shot decisively.
Sweden could have quickly made it 2-0 due to blundering in England’s defense, but Blackstenius was stopped by defender Leah Williamson. Shortly afterwards, England had a great chance to equalize, but Lauren Hemp’s shot hit the crossbar via keeper Jennifer Falk.
After 25 minutes, Sweden doubled their lead. England lost possession in midfield, after which Carter could not keep up with attacker Blackstenius. The Swede remained cool and scored.
England tried to break through the Swedish defense, but were not successful. Sweden had opportunities to deliver the knockout blow before half-time, but keeper Hannah Hampton was no longer beaten.
Substitutes help England
England performed slightly better in the second half, but the small chances were not converted. Twenty minutes before the end, Wiegman intervened by sending Beth Mead, Esme Morgan and Michelle Agyemang onto the field. Shortly afterwards, Chloe Kelly also entered the lines.
A minute after her substitution, Kelly was worth her weight in gold for England. She gave a fine cross to Lucy Bronze, who headed in at the far post. Sweden had not yet recovered from the goal or it was already 2-2. An English cross lingered in the penalty area, after which substitute Agyemang shot in from close range.
Sweden had a good chance just before the end via Madelen Janogy, but Hampton saved. In injury time, Alessio Russo was close to making it 3-2 for England, but her shot was blocked just in time. The subsequent corner hit the crossbar.
No goals were scored in extra time, so penalties had to decide the outcome. In it, England escaped elimination. The Swedish Falk stopped the penalties from Lauren James, Beth Mead and Alex Greenwood and took the last penalty herself. The keeper could have shot her team to the semi-finals, but shot over.
Grace Clinton missed another penalty for England, but the Swede Sofia Jakobsson did not finish the job. Bronze then scored for England, after which a miss by the eighteen-year-old Smilla Holmberg became fatal for Sweden.
