Reigning champions England advanced into the UEFA Women’s European Championship semi-finals with a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Sweden, whose 15-match unbeaten run came to an end in Zurich.
Some haphazard defending gifted the Blagult a second-minute lead, as Keira Walsh’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Filippa Angeldahl and into the path of Stina Blackstenius, who teed up skipper Kosovare Asllani to clinically fire home past Hannah Hampton.
Sarina Wiegman’s side were looking porous at the back and almost conceded an equally calamitous second goal following Hampton’s mistake, but Blackstenius was denied thanks to Leah Williamson’s superb sliding challenge.
Lauren Hemp almost equalised inside a breathless opening 10 minutes, as Jennifer Falk parried her long-range effort onto the bar.
This was a far cry from the ways in which the Netherlands and Wales were dispatched in swashbuckling fashion, and Blackstenius added a second with a goal of alarming simplicity from England’s perspective.
The Arsenal forward was played through on goal by Julia Zigiotti Olme’s simple through ball, which carved open the defence, allowing her to brilliantly finish past Hampton.
The Chelsea shot-stopper prevented Sweden from adding a third before the break, brilliantly keeping out Fridolina Rolfo’s effort.
Sarina Wiegman’s side responded in encouraging fashion when play resumed, as Ella Toone narrowly failed to beat Sweden’s offside trap when latching onto Hemp’s through ball before shooting at Falk.
Hemp could have halved the deficit with a legitimate chance moments later when she was picked out by Lauren James, but the Manchester City forward headed wide at the far post.
However, it didn’t take long for those England defensive vulnerabilities to be exploited once again, as Asllani’s through ball sliced open the backline to feed Blackstenius, but Hampton was alert to the danger.
Blackstenius was a constant threat for the Swedes, bullying the Lionesses defence at every opportunity. Her hold-up play engineered a chance for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who rifled a long-range strike just over the bar.
However, it was England who struck next through an unlikely source.
Chloe Kelly delivered a beautiful ball towards the far post, and Lucy Bronze was there to nod the ball into the net. A scarcely believable comeback was complete two minutes later, with Kelly the architect once again, as the Arsenal forward’s cross sparked panic inside the box before Michelle Agyemang slotted home.
Madelen Janogy looked to add a Swedish sucker-punch after that epic turnaround following some more dubious England defending, but Hampton parried the ball away to safety.
Momentum had shifted firmly in England’s favour, as Agyemang teed up Russo, whose shot was deflected behind in stoppage time.
The Lionesses needed to be wary of Sweden’s aerial presence, with Nathalie Bjorn heading wide from Angeldahl’s set piece.
It had been a bruising extra time for the Lionesses, with Williamson forced off injured, yet her replacement, Niamh Charles, made a goal-saving headed interception to prevent Lina Hurtig from successfully converting Amanda Nilden’s cross. Russo had a chance to win it in stoppage time, but could not find the target, and penalties beckoned.
The penalty shootout was a nervy showing from both sides, and Falk squandered a chance to win it late on after skying her attempt over the bar.
However, this truly turgid showing from the spot turned in England’s favour as Bronze dispatched her effort, before youngster Smilla Holmberg failed to find the target.
Through a rough patch, England had reached the last four, and a date with Italy in Geneva on Tuesday awaits.
