In a rollercoaster contest that flowed for over 130 minutes, it was England who triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout against Sweden to book their place in the Euro 2025 semi-finals.

The Lionesses showed incredible resilience to claw their way back from two goals down, eventually sealing their place against Italy thanks to a composed final penalty from Lucy Bronze and crucial saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

Sweden came out of the blocks flying in the first half, catching England off guard with their intensity and directness.

It took only two minutes for the Swedes to open the scoring, after Kosovare Asllani latched onto a clever pass from Stina Blackstenius and slotted the ball into the bottom corner past Hampton.

England looked shell-shocked and struggled to impose themselves, with Sweden dominating.

Just over twenty minutes later, the Swedish advantage was doubled. Julia Zigiotti Olme split the England defence with a through ball to Blackstenius, who drilled a low finish beyond Hampton to make it 2-0.

England’s usually composed defence was disjointed, and their attacking efforts were largely nullified in the opening 45 minutes.

WE NEVER QUIT.

ENGLAND ARE IN THE #WEURO2025 SEMI-FINALS ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Gu8o4Vxc3Z

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025

Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo both came close but couldn’t find the breakthrough, with Jennifer Falk in Sweden’s goal showing composure and safe hands throughout the first half.

England made several changes around the 70-minute mark to spark a turnaround. Michelle Agyemang, Beth Mead, and Esme Morgan were all introduced as manager Sarina Wiegman looked to inject pace and creativity.

The shift in momentum was immediate. Chloe Kelly also came off the bench and proved to be a game-changer.

In the 79th minute, Kelly curled in a delicious cross from the right, and Lucy Bronze met it at the back post, halving the deficit.

Just two minutes later, England were level. Mead, another substitute, burst down the right and saw her header blocked in the box. The ball fell kindly to Agyemang, who reacted quickest to poke it past Falk from close range.

Both sides had chances to win it in regular time. Alessia Russo had a shot blocked in the dying moments, while Madelen Janogy tested Hampton with a curling strike.

With the score locked at 2-2, the match moved into extra time.

WHAT. A. MOMENT. 😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/sVEapjEIys

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025

Extra-time and penalty madness

The next 30 minutes were fiercely contested, with both teams battling not just each other but also the rising tension.

Sweden came closest through Lina Hurtig, whose header was palmed away by Hampton, and Nathalie Bjorn, who missed narrowly from a set piece.

England, too, had their moments-Bronze had a long-range shot blocked and Russo was just off-target with a late attempt.

Substitutions continued into the additional periods. Injuries forced Leah Williamson and Kosovare Asllani off, while fresh legs in the form of Sofia Jakobsson, Amanda Nilden, and Rebecka Blomqvist were deployed by Sweden.

England brought on Grace Clinton, who slotted into midfield as penalties loomed.

As the final whistle blew with the score still 2-2, the atmosphere was electric, and the pressure immense. A penalty shootout would decide the winner.

Alessia Russo opened the shootout confidently for England, firing low into the corner. Sweden’s Filippa Angeldahl stepped up and saw her shot saved by Hampton.

INCREDIBLEEEEE!!!!!!! 🔥

WE ARE #WEURO2025 SEMI-FINALISTS! 😍 pic.twitter.com/ZA2BUa4aXS

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025

Lauren James and Beth Mead were both denied by Falk in successive attempts, but Sweden failed to capitalise-Magdalena Eriksson hit the post, and Jennifer Falk blazed over.

The shootout became a battle of nerves. Chloe Kelly powered her penalty into the top corner to bring England level at 2-2. Nathalie Bjorn scored to restore Sweden’s hope, but Sofia Jakobsson’s effort was saved again by the superb Hampton.

Bronze then held her nerve, blasting her shot into the high centre of the goal to put England on the brink.

Smilla Holmberg had the final chance to keep Sweden alive, but she skied her penalty over the bar, confirming England’s passage to the final four.

It was a heroic performance from England, not just in overcoming a two-goal deficit but in the sheer composure they showed under the most intense pressure.

Hampton was undoubtedly the shootout hero, making three critical saves and standing tall in key moments.

For Sweden, it was heartbreak. They had been the better side for large spells of the match and will rue their missed opportunities in the shootout.

Olme and Blackstenius were superb in open play, but ultimately, the margins in knockout football are razor-thin.

England now march into the semi-finals next week, full of adrenaline from a remarkable comeback and the nerves of steel they displayed when it mattered most.