Sarina Wiegman's side looked destined for a quarter-final exit until an incredible finale secured a place in next week's semi-final against Italy.
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England’s European Championship title defence remains alive – somehow. The Lionesses survived by the skin of their teeth in the quarter-finals against Sweden, recovering from an awful start which left them 2-0 down to score twice in three late second half minutes before winning a penalty shootout plagued with nerves 3-2 in sudden death.
There were just two minutes on the clock when Sweden took the lead in a game that, in truth, they absolutely should have won. Peter Gerhardsson’s side exploited the lack of pace and composure in England’s defence throughout the first half in particular, with goals from Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius punishing sloppy play from the holders and putting their title defence on the brink of collapse.
Sarina Wiegman took a long time to make substitutions and the impact they made when finally brought on the pitch had many lamenting the hesitation, as they changed the game dramatically. Within moments of stepping on the pitch, Chloe Kelly whipped in a wonderful cross for Lucy Bronze to head home – two minutes later, she delivered another which was latched onto and finished clinically by teenager Michelle Agyemang.
It sent the tie to extra time, where England had to ride their luck a little. With players in white shirts often hobbling around, Sweden were in control for large parts of the additional half hour, until it concluded without a goal. Via the lottery of the penalty shootout their fates would be decided, then, and it was England – after just five of 14 spot-kicks were converted – who somehow completely the great escape, with 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg drawing the short straw with the final miss after both Jennifer Falk and Sofia Jakobsson wasted chances to win it.
In a manner reminiscent of their shootout victory over Nigeria in the last 16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the Lionesses’ bid for this title is somehow still on – with Italy next up in the semi-finals.
GOAL rates England's players from Stadion Letzigrund…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (7/10):
Had some sloppy moments and wasn't great collecting crosses, but kept England in it at times with her saves before making two big stops in the shootout.
Lucy Bronze (7/10):
Gave possession away far too often, however was the best of a bad bunch defensively. Great header to kickstart the comeback and an emphatic winning penalty.
Leah Williamson (3/10):
Made a huge tackle to deny Blackstenius early on, though was beaten too easily otherwise. Sloppy on the ball and failed to cover Carter for Sweden's second.
Jess Carter (3/10):
Was constantly exploited for her lack of pace, albeit while not helped more by those around her.
Alex Greenwood (4/10):
Didn't cover her area of the pitch well enough and gave the ball away too much. Improved as England took control.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Keira Walsh (3/10):
Marked out of the game for the most part, which England still don't have a solution for.
Georgia Stanway (4/10):
Battled well but had to show for the ball more.
Ella Toone (4/10):
Often looked the most likely to spark England into life with some good passes in the final third, but just couldn't create that moment before going off in the second half.
Getty ImagesAttack
Lauren James (5/10):
An up-and-down display in which she was lively and worked hard but lacked end product.
Alessia Russo (5/10):
Had no service whatsoever. Scored her penalty.
Lauren Hemp (5/10):
Was one of the only players who looked at it early on. Should've scored in the second half.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Beth Mead (7/10):
Brought real fight to the pitch and was so often at the heart of good attacking play.
Esme Morgan (5/10):
Tricky to settle into defence during a game and had some iffy moments in possession as a result.
Michelle Agyemang (7/10):
Reacted brilliantly to net the goal that levelled the scores. Caused chaos regularly with her aerial ability.
Chloe Kelly (8/10):
Delivered two sensational crosses that led to both of England's goals. Scored her penalty.
Grace Clinton (N/A):
Extra time sub who added necessary energy to midfield.
Niamh Charles (N/A):
Another late sub in the second half of extra time.
Sarina Wiegman (4/10):
Didn't act fast enough to change things in the game, with the impact of her subs suggesting England could've got back into this much sooner and given themselves a chance to win it earlier. Has to be more proactive if the Lionesses are to retain their European title.