England secured a dramatic 3‑2 victory on penalties over Sweden—after a stunning 2‑2 draw in regular and extra time—to advance to the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. The match, held in Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium on July 17, 2025, was nothing short of electrifying, showcasing the Lionesses’ grit and resilience as they clawed back from an early two-goal deficit and triumphed in one of the most chaotic shoot-outs ever witnessed at a major tournament.
Early Swedish Domination
Just two minutes into the contest, Sweden struck first when Kosovare Asllani capitalized on a loose back-pass by England to slot home calmly. The Scandinavian side doubled their lead in the 25th minute thanks to a composed effort from Stina Blackstenius, who outpaced England’s defense before finishing clinically). The early onslaught left the Lionesses reeling, unable to establish any foothold in the first half.
England’s Dramatic Turnaround
Manager Sarina Wiegman made bold substitutions in the second half—bringing on Beth Mead, Michelle Agyemang, Esme Morgan, and Chloe Kelly—that completely shifted the momentum. In quick succession during the 79th and 81st minutes, Lucy Bronze headed in a pinpoint cross courtesy of Kelly, followed by a deft poacher’s finish from teenager Michelle Agyemang, who capitalized on her newfound energy to level the match at 2‑2.
With no further goals in extra time, the contest went to penalties—setting the stage for a shoot-out of unprecedented turmoil.
Penalty Shoot‑Out Pandemonium
The shoot-out defied logic and nerves. An astonishing nine out of 14 attempts were either missed or saved—an unthinkable count for a major knockout fixture. Sweden’s goalkeeper Jennifer Falk made four crucial saves—an impressive feat—yet astonishingly fluffed her own spot kick when presented with the opportunity to win the shoot-out for her side.Meanwhile, England’s Hannah Hampton stood tall, saving two attempts and cementing her status as the shoot-out hero.
Key moments in the shoot-out
- Lucy Bronze calmly converted the decisive penalty for England.
- Sweden’s 18‑year‑old Smilla Holmberg, under immense pressure, missed the final attempt by blasting it over the bar, sealing England’s place in the semis.
The roller‑coaster nature of the shoot-out led commentators and fans to dub it one of the worst and most chaotic in major tournament history.
Heroics, Headlines and Reactions
Hannah Hampton, hailed for her heroics, later reflected: “Stressful… every time I saved one I was thinking ‘please just put it in so we have a bit of a cushion.’”.. Manager Sarina Wiegman admitted it was “one of the hardest games I’ve ever watched,” acknowledging the nerve-racking double half-time deficit and the emotional tumult witnessed at the end.
Lucy Bronze, whose equalizer and spot kick proved vital, was praised for her determination and battling spirit. Wiegman lauded Bronze’s “resilience, that fight,” joking she’d only be taken off “in a wheelchair”.
On the Swedish side, coach Peter Gerhardsson expressed full support for Holmberg after her miss, affirming that “the entire team shares the disappointment” and that they stand behind her despite criticism. Swedish media lamented the loss with striking intensity: Aftonbladet termed it “a nightmare that never ended,” while Expressen spoke of “indescribable joy and enormous sorrow” in the drama that unfolded.
Historical Significance
England’s comeback from two goals down in a Women’s Euros knockout match is historic—it marks the first time such a turnaround has occurred since 1984. Their victory not only extended their reign as defending champions but also set the stage for a semi-final showdown with Italy in Geneva on July 22.
What Comes Next
With a berth in the last four secured, England now refocus on a disciplined performance against Italy. After surviving a near-collapse, the Lionesses will need both tactical sharpness and mental fortitude to sustain their title defense. Their path to potentially becoming the first nation to retain the Women’s Euro crown—and secure a historic three‑peat—begins anew.
For Sweden, the defeat signals a period of transition. With the match marking coach Gerhardsson’s last in charge and national attention questioning penalty strategy, the team faces introspection and potential restructuring .
England’s thrilling victory over Sweden was a testament to their indomitable spirit—recovering from a 2‑0 deficit, enduring a penalty shoot-out beset by nerves, and ultimately advancing with courage and composure. As they prepare to face Italy next, the Lionesses have shown that they are still, without a doubt, “proper England.”
