England stun Sweden with a late comeback and a win in an unusual penalty shootout

England stun Sweden with late second-half comeback, forcing both teams into a penalty shootout which eventually leads England one step closer to defending their European Champions title.

Sweden’s XI: Falk; Lundkvist, Björn, Eriksson, Andersson, Angeldahl, Zigiotti Olme, Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfö, Blackstenius

Manager: Peter Gerhardsson

England’s XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson (Charles 106), Carter (Morgan 70), Greenwood; Toone (Mead 70), Walsh (Clinton 104), Stanway (Agyemang 70); James, Russo, Hemp (Kelly 78)

Manager: Sarina Wiegman

Thursday 17th July saw Zürich and the Stadion Letzigrund Stadium play host to Sweden vs England in their quarter-final fixture at the 2025 Women’s Euro tournament.

As the game commenced, Sweden’s sudden high press forced England to make possessive mistakes, quickly allowing the Blågult to attack.

A defensive clearance fell to the feet of Stina Blackstenius following a rebound off fellow teammate, Filippa Angeldahl, forcing an early test to the English defence.

However, Hannah Hampton’s attempts to save England from going 1-0 down, just two minutes in, were soon forgotten as Kosovare Asllani found the far corner of the net.

Despite both teams looking to quickly respond, Sweden kept disrupting the English defence, constraining the Lionesses mainly to their own half,  as Sweden looks increasingly threatening with each run.

Sweden soon went on to double their an advantage, as they capitalised on the weakness of the Lionesses which allowed Julia Zigiotti Olme to exploit the pace of Blackstenius along the right wing, who comfortably slotted it past Hampton.

With half-time, minutes around the corner and Sweden’s continued high press, England’s odds of progressing to the Semi-Finals is looking smaller by the minute.

As the second-half commenced, England started to look like a strong contender to break the curse, of a team 2-0 down failing to process in the knockout stage.

Despite yet managing to beat Jennifer Falk, England’s persistence and constant attack payed off in the 79th minute.

Just three minutes after making her appearance on the pitch, Chloe Kelly, once again made her mark for England in a Euro tournament; playing a perfectly timed run and ball towards her teammate, Lucy Bronze, who’s downward header comfortably found itself at the back off the net, Kelly once again played heroic role for the squad.

It was soon clear that England weren’t done, as just two minutes later, Michelle Agyemang, powers the ball into the net from a close range; proving at just 19 years old, to never give up even when it seems far from possible.

With minutes left for the two teams to try secure another goal, the match inevitably headed into extra time.

Throughout the additional 30 minutes, both teams battled it out to both prevent and score goals.

Despite both teams attempting to put themselves ahead, tensions and emotions ran high as neither team’s opportunities were fully capitalised therefore failed to reach the net.

Even with a last push, both teams failed to find the back of the net, forcing the game into a penalty shootout.

Penalty Shootout Results:

ENG Alessia Russo | Scored (1-0)

SWE Filippa Angeldah | Saved

ENG Lauren James | Saved

SWE Julia Zigiotti Olme | Scored (1-1)

ENG Beth Mead | Saved

SWE Magdalena Eriksson | Missed

ENG Alex Greenwood | Saved

SWE Nathalie Bjorn | Scored (2-1)

ENG Chloe Kelly | Scored (2-2)

SWE Jennifer Falk | Missed

Sudden Death:

ENG Grace Clinton | Saved

SWE Sofia Jakobsson | Saved

ENG Lucy Bronze | Scored (2-3)

SWE Smilla Holmberg | Missed

Following fourteen penalties, nine of which failed to make contact with the back of the net, England were sent through to Semi-Finals and also became the first team to overturn a two-goal disadvantage in a Women’s Euro knockout game.

What’s Next for England?:

England’s next game is set to be played against Italy at Stade de Genève on Tuesday 22nd July, at 20:00 BST.

Who’s the HerGameHerStory Player of the Match?:

Despite a rough start for the England side, a late second half comeback and a penalty shootout, the Lionesses made their mark on the Quarter-final stage of the 2025 Women’s Euro tournament.

Following her success in the penalty shootout and two assists in the second-half, minutes  following her appearance on the pitch, Chloe Kelly is you HerGameHerStory Player of the Match.

A special mention must go to Hannah Hampton following her insane saves in the penalty shootout and contribution to keeping England in the game the entire 120 minutes.