Defending champions England narrowly avoided elimination from the European Championship in Switzerland. The English team beat Sweden in the quarterfinals in Zurich on Thursday after trailing 2-0 in a crazy penalty shootout. Goals from Lucy Bronze (79) and Michelle Agyemang (81) leveled Sweden's lead at halftime through Kosovare Asllani (2nd) and Stina Blackstenius (25th). In the semifinals, the "Lionesses" will face Italy.
The Swedes pressured England from the start in front of 22,400 spectators at the sold-out Letzigrund Stadium and were quickly rewarded. After Jess Carter lost the ball in the danger zone, Blackstenius served Asllani. The 35-year-old captain slotted into the far corner after 106 seconds, her 50th goal in her 203rd international appearance. England's cap was on fire. Defensive leader Leah Williamson saved after a mistake by desperately needy goalkeeper Hannah Hampton (5th).
At the other end, Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk tipped a Lauren Hemp shot onto the crossbar (6th). The most dangerous team, however, remained Sweden. After a long pass from Julia Zigiotti Olme, Blackstenius escaped the error-prone Carter. The Arsenal striker slotted the ball into the far corner. Shortly before halftime, Sweden came close to increasing their lead to 3-0. Hampton saved a powerful shot from Fridolina Rolfö after a solo finish (45+1).
The double blow guarantees extra time England came out of the locker room a little stronger. The Swedish defense, which had been so strong in the group stage, having only conceded one goal in the 4-1 win in the final group match against Germany, held out for a long time. However, a double goal in less than two minutes saved the "Lionesses" from extra time.
First, Bronze scored with a header after a long cross from Chloe Kelly, who had just come on as a substitute. A little later, Kelly, who had led England to the Euro 2022 title on home soil as a wild card in the final against Germany (2-1 a.t.), again carried the ball dangerously into the middle. There, the ball fell in front of Agyemang's legs, and the 19-year-old, who only joined the Euros at the last minute, scored the equalizer.
The Swedes had already substituted two key players, Asllani and Rolfö, by this point. Dramatic Penalty Shootout Extra time was even. Just as in the fight for the first European Championship title in 1984, when Sweden prevailed 4-3, the decision had to be made in the penalty shootout. There, the Swedes had the decision in their hands several times, but missed the opportunity to eliminate the defending champions.
Falk saved a total of four penalties with a cheat sheet in her water bottle: those from Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood, and Grace Clinton. However, the goalkeeper chased the fifth, possibly victorious, attempt over the goal. Sweden extended their impressive run to 16 consecutive international matches without losing in regular or extra time. However, coach Peter Gerhardsson's World Championship bronze medalist had to travel home.
England boss Sarina Wiegman remains in the running for her third European Championship title. In 2017, the Dutchman triumphed with her home country, and in 2022 with the Englishman. With these, the 55-year-old will now face Italy in Geneva on Tuesday, after Norway beat Italy 2-1 in the first quarterfinal match on Wednesday.
