Thank you so much for joining me for this enthralling quarter-final. Sweden came out of the blocks firing with an English defensive blunder gifting Kosovare Asllani the opener and a piece of individual brilliance doubled their lead through Stina Blackstenius. England looked like they were booking their flights home but substitutions, particularly Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly, turned around the defending champions’ fortunes. Lucy Bronze and Agyemang got England back into it and in the penalty shootout a save from Hannah Hampton and winning penalty from Bronze saw England through. To recap all the finer details, see the report below. The Lionesses will play Italy in the semi-finals. But there are two more semi-finals to play, first up is Spain v Switzerland and we will take you through all the action tomorrow. See you then.
England defender Lucy Bronze tells the BBC:
It was a crazy game. I saw my brother right at the end and he was so excited and I know when I saw him like that I knew we had put him through it. Holding the team together in the first half was difficult, Rolfo pushed on and she almost had a third goal. When we made the substitutes the momentum went with us. I actually hurt my leg a little bit in the game, that’s why I took the tape off, I watched the goalkeeper in the shootout and she goes quite early. I’ve been around long enough, I have to know the ins and outs of the game.
Updated
Peter Gartner has emailed:
Kelly saved us, totally, and Hampton saved the penalties. Why won’t Sarina play Beever-Jones? Our penalties were poor, but Sweden blew their chance.
Aggie Beever-Jones did come on against Wales and she scored. Instead of playing the Chelsea star, Wiegman brought on Michelle Agyemang, who scored an incredible goal to equalise. I would say Wiegman made the right changes but some may argue it should have happened earlier.
England manager Sarina Wiegman told the BBC:
That was one of the hardest games I have ever watched. We could’ve been our four or five times. We started badly. We didn’t create anything so we changed shape and we scored two goals which was crazy. The shootout, we missed a lot but they missed more and we’re through. We already prepared [who would take the penalties] before kick-off. But you have to know who is on the pitch and who is feeling confident but I think that was the easiest decision today.
England’s Chloe Kelly told BBC:
We knew we had to bounce back, we weren’t at our best in the first half. We showed the girls who came onto the pitch did their job. It shows the whole squad of 23 when you are need to do your job [you can]. I just try to put the ball in the box and play to our strengths. I think there are times against top teams like Sweden but it’s about sticking together in those moments. I think we have belief, we have worked hard on the training pitch even with the penalties. We’ve experienced that in tournament football before. It didn’t go to plan but [we got the result].
England captain Leah Williamson told the BBC:
I feel really proud, it was awful to watch at the end. We never give up, we never believe we are done.The quality to turn it around and stay in it mentally is incredible. There were a few more misses than normal but it’s something you box off before a tournament. It’s the easiest and the hardest thing in the world. You hope you create an environment where everyone feels valued enough to step up and [play].
It wasn’t about me and a game like that requires you to be 100%. You can’t put a foot wrong. But I don’t know [how the ankle is].
When you are 2-0 at 78 minutes in a major tournament quarter-final you need someone to step up. Of course Chloe Kelly’s introduction was the spark to England’s revived attack but it’s Lucy Bronze who took this game by the scruff of its neck and changed the fortunes. She scored England’s first goal, from a great Kelly cross, and she led so well from that point. Then she scored the winning penalty. She is an England icon.
Tony Mason has emailed:
That was such a poor penalty shootout but also so clichéd. Goalkeepers always blast it and often sky it. Clinton’s penalty was “keep it on target, keep it on target” and forgot to hit it hard. Bronze thought “sod it” and just blasted it. Shit or bust. And poor Holmgren followed that mantra. But England know how to cling on.
Yes, it will be interesting to see the thoughts behind putting Falk up for a penalty. Blomqvist came on for Blackstenius in extra time but didn’t take a penalty, if the Arsenal player isn’t injured why not leave her on to take a spot kick? You also have to feel for Holmgren.
There were a lot of people questioning the decision by Sarina Wiegman to promote Hannah Hampton to England number one, especially as that meant demoting the Queen of Stops Mary Earps. But tonight she has shown again why she has the shirt. She saved two penalties and was vital in open play, despite those early two goals.
Updated
Hannah Hampton told the BBC:
It has all gone so quick. We are very happy. The fans were behind us the whole game, they knew we could bring this back. You should never count us out. The shootout was stressful. Their keeper just kept saving, I think I was better in the game when I had one nostril. I am happy and relieved now.
Updated
Tim Pearson has emailed:
Forget nine lives, feels like the Lionesses used 99 today!
You are not wrong, Sweden looked certain to go through at 78 minutes.
This means that Sarina Wiegman has reached at least the semi-final stage of the four major tournaments she has taken charge of, across her time as the Netherlands and England manager. She won Euro 2017 with her home country and led them to the 2019 World Cup final. Wiegman then moved to England and won Euro 2022 with the Lionesses and led them to the 2023 World Cup final. Now it’s Euro 2025 semi-finals. She is a mentality monster.
A word for Sweden who were absolutely incredible in that first half. They were lethal, getting ahead in the first two minutes. But England clung on and somehow found a way to send the game to extra time. The Lionesses showed how tired they were with injuries in that extra time with captain Leah Williamson having to come off. Sweden’s goalkeeper Jennifer Falk was also incredible in goal, she saved four penalties. But England somehow still managed to wriggle through to the semis. Unbelieveable.
England have never lost a penalty shootout under Sarina Wiegman. Even in that shootout where the Lionesses were pretty poor. I am stunned.
Updated
England are the cat with nine lives. Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton the absolute heroes. What have we just witnessed.
ENGLAND ARE THROUGH ON PENALTIES
What just happened.
Updated
Penalties: Sweden 2-3 England
Jeez this shootout is crazy. This time Sweden step up and I think they have to score here. Homberg steps up and skies it.
Updated
Penalties: Sweden 2-3 England
This time it is Bronze for England. The defender steps up and scores – a huge roar.
Updated
Penalties: Sweden 2-2 England
So again, if Sweden score they are through. Jakobsson steps up and Hampton saves, the shootout continues.
Updated
Penalties: Sweden 2-2 England
So England up again, this time it’s Clinton. It’s a poor pen and Falk saves.
Penalties: Sweden 2-2 England
Sweden up again, they must score, If they do they are through and it is the goalkeeper Falk who steps up. She skies it. What is happening.
Updated
Penalties: Sweden 2-2 England
And who steps up for England? It’s Chloe Kelly. She is under such pressure, can Falk save again to send Sweden through? No she can’t, Kelly scores.
Penalties: Sweden 2-1 England
Sweden come forward again with Bjorn and she slots it. England have to score next.
Penalties: Sweden 1-1 England
England up again and it is Greenwood to take it. Falk saves again, what a performance from the keeper.
Updated
Penalties: Sweden 1-1 England
Okay back to Sweden and it’s experienced captain Eriksson. She hits the post. Wow, what a shootout.
Penalties: Sweden 1-1 England
For England, up steps Mead. It’s saved again. Wow.
Updated
Penalties: Sweden 1-1 England
Next up for Sweden is Zigiotti Olme and she slots a beauty.
Amazing from both keepers!
Penalties: Sweden 0-1 England
So England are next after that Hampton save and it’s James who steps up. She places the ball and it’s saved by Falk.
Updated
Penalties: Sweden 0-1 England
So first up for Sweden is Angeldahl. She steps up and Hampton saves.
Updated
Penalties: Sweden 0-1 England
Oh wait, it’s England first. Apologies. It’s Russo first and she scores!
Updated
Penalties begin and they are being taken in front of the England fans. Strap in everyone, this is going to get tense. Bronze is captain now I believe, she took the coin flip. Sweden will start the spot kicks.
Updated
Full time: Sweden 2-2 England - the game heads to penalties
Oh gosh, the nerves will start now.
Updated
90 + 3 min: Hampton is up to take this, it look slike it has too much on it but Charles collects. Hurtig then sees it out of play. It comes into the area eventually but Russo can’t get it on target.
90 + 3 min: Janogy fouls Bronze with England getting another free kick. Will this be it?
120 + 2 min: Kelly is over the set piece and it’s in a good spot. The delivery is good and it comes to Russo but it’s wide.
120 + 1 min: Mead has a great run and she draws the foul. One of England’s last chances to win this in open play.
120 + 1 min: There is bound to be a lot of added time here after that stoppage but wait it’s just three. Can someone find a winner? If not we head to penalties.
119 min: Boos come from the Sweden supporters as we wait for the England players to be treated. Hampton has a change of shirt. I think everyone is okay to continue, Hampton has something shoved up her nose to stop her from bleeding.
118 min: Greenwood held her shoulder and Hampton has blood coming out of her nose. Bronze is self-taping her own leg. These players have been through the wars but what a contest it has been.
Updated
117 min: Nilden is over the set piece and her delivery is good and it goes over Hampton and an England defender heads clear. Greenwood, Hampton and Eriksson all hit the deck, it looks like Hampton has accidentally hit Greenwood in the head during that so she is receiving treatment. Sweden make a change in the break of play with Blomqvist off for Blackstenius.
Updated
116 min: Blomqvist is getting readied to come on for Sweden but before that they make a great attacking move with Charles seeing it out for a corner.
115 min: Janogy, who has been a bright introduction for Sweden, pops a ball forward but Morgan gets ahead of Blackstenius to see it out.
114 min: Sweden have been the brighter side in extra time and they come forward once again but Bronze marshals it back to Hampton.
112 min: The delivery is good from Angeldahl but England deal with it. Sweden just keep coming though and they pepper the goal with so many shots. England hang in and then eventually Angeldahl is offside.
Updated
111 min: Russo thought she had won a free kick there but it goes the way of Angeldahl. Eriksson pumps it into the area, such a good ball, Janogy gets a shot away but it’s blocked. It comes back in but Charles pressures Hurtig and it’s out for a corner.
110 min: The penalty takers for each side gets interesting with the subs that have been made so far. But the players won’t be focused on that just yet. Is anyone else getting nervous? I always do for penalties no matter who is playing.
108 min: Some toing and froing in the midfield as both sides settle into this second half of extra time.
106 min: Sweden have also taken off Rytting Kaneryd for Jakobsson.
Back underway: Sweden 2-2 England
Are we heading to penalties? 15 minutes stands between us and that foreboding option. Sweden make a change with Nilden off for Andersson and England take Williamson off for Charles.
Sweden are growing back into this game. Lina Hurtig looks primed for one of her classic late winners and Nathalie Bjorn is also lingering in the attack. But England hold on as they have throughout this game.
Extra time half-time: Sweden 2-2 England
Some worrying injury issues for England but no one is off yet. Lauren James was moving gingerly when she re-entered the pitch though. This quarter-final hangs in the balance and we may head to penalties.
105 + 3 min: Clinton makes a well timed tackle in the area to save England as Sweden ramp up the pressure.
105 + 2 min: A great sign as James runs off the injury and she is okay to continue.
105 + 1 min: There is two minutes added. James is now down with an ankle injury from a Hurtig challenge. This is very worrying for England, she is a key part of this team and she remains on the floor.
Updated
105 min: Sweden almost get the potential winner as a long range free kick troubles England but they eventually clear it.
105 min:There is another change for England as Clinton comes on for Walsh.
104 min: The England captain continues on, a great boost for the Lionesses. Williamson has not had her best game today but she is a constant presence which benefits the side.
103 min: Williamson is now back to her feet, she is hobbling slightly and she should be able to continue here.
Updated
102 min: Williamson is still down and Kelly is beside her consoling her right now. The medical team are also now giving her treatment.
101 min: Mead pops a long range shot in and it’s deflected out for a corner. Kelly is over the set piece and it pinballs around, England keep it alive and Greenwood sees it in but Bjorn does well to get the first header to clear. Williamson in some pain though as it looks like the captain rolled her ankle.
100 min: Blackstenius is so good isn’t she? She has a great run down the right and seeing no way through crosses it into the box but Williamson heads clear. Sweden getting some momentum now.
99 min: Before this match, Sweden had only conceded one goal and that came against Germany in their 4-1 win. No matter the result, England can be proud of their efforts.
98 min: Sweden awarded a free kick with Mead giving it away. Angeldahl is over it, it’s quite far out, but she whacks it into the box but it is wide from Bjorn. Sweden are so deadly from set piece.
97 min: Hampton concedes a corner as she wanted to cover a long range shot from Angeldahl. Andersson takes the set piece and the delivery is a good one but Hampton punches. It rebounds but England eventually clear it.
Updated
96 min: Julia Boot has emailed:
Who deserves to win? I thought this was a done deal for Sweden… and that they were the better team for most of this match. But since the changes (finally!) England does seem to have found their energy back. Agyemang especially is excellent, what a talent.
Agyemang is such a star and she has proved it today. I think on the balance Sweden have been the better side overall but the scoreboard doesn’t care about that.
94 min: Janogy peels forward with Sweden streaming into the box but Bronze intercepts, a real showing of leadership from the Chelsea defender in this game.
93 min: What an advert for women’s football by the way, what a game. England are on the attack as James crosses in but Sweden deal with it. For Sweden, yes they have conceded two late goals but they just need to level their heads. they are more than capable of sending England home, that first 80 minutes evidence of that.
92 min: It seems to be back to a bit of cagey football as we get this first half of extra time underway.
Back underway: Sweden 2-2 England
Can someone find a winner in extra time? Or will we go to penalties? All to come. No changes for either side.
England fans, in Sarina you trust? A lot calling for the subs earlier but were they perfectly timed? Chloe Kelly at the centre of both goals. And for Sweden, they didn’t really have a convincing attack in the second half but they were absolutely deadly in that first half. We are in for a tasty further half hour.
Sweden and England fans alike must be asking themselves how did we end up here? Sweden looked through and cruising to a semi-final against Italy but Lucy Bronze headed England a way back in and Michelle Agyemang equalised. Another half hour to play and potentially the dreaded penalties.
Full time: Sweden 2-2 England
We head to extra time after England go down swinging. Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang getting the defending champions back into it.
90 + 4 min: England win a corner through an excellent run but Kelly’s resulting corner is over the bar. It’s over for another corner though. Kelly is the taker again it pinballs around but it’s done.
90 + 2 min: Angeldahl takes it and it’s really well thought out and she passes it down the left but Hampton reads it well and collects.
90 + 2 min: Hurtig wins a free kick from a Mead foul, this may be their last chance to win it in normal time.
90 + 1 min: It’s popped in but it’s easily handled by England, the Lionesses almost give it away again at the back but they get away with it, just. Kelly then gets a yellow for a foul – there’s so much happening. Three minutes added.
90 min: Zigiotti Olme has been given a yellow card for a foul on Mead and England have another free kick.
89 min: It comes in but it is headed out of play, I thought that came off of an English player but it has gone against Sweden so it is a goal kick.
88 min: Another defensive blunder by England, at times they really do look asleep. Janogy pounces but Hampton makes a good save but sees it out for a corner.
88 min: They did show Asllani there and it seems like she is strapped up so maybe her substitution was injury related. England come forward into the box but Agyemang fouls Eriksson and she gets a yellow card for it.
86 min: Greenwood pops it in but Falk reads it perfectly to collect. What a game, eh?
85 min: I will fully admit I had counted England out. I was picturing Sweden in that semi-final but in the blink of an eye it’s the Lionesses with the upperhand. How? England win a free kick here with Eriksson fouling Russo.
84 min: What does become interesting is if this goes to extra time and penalties, Sweden have subbed off some key players. Asllani and Rolfo are both off. But let’s save that discussion for a few minutes time. Sweden are coming froward now but James gets it clear.
83 min: Agyemang has played less than 40 minutes of international football across three games and she has two goals. That was her first major tournament goal.
82 min: England fans, how are the nerves now? Take a bow Kelly, this has all came from her.
Kelly whallops it in and Agyemang strokes the ball home. What a moment for the young Arsenal star. WOW. This game is wide open.
Updated
GOAL! Sweden 2-2 England (Agyemang, 81)
A star is born.
Kelly whips it in and Bronze rockets it in with a header. They couldn’t, could they?
Updated
GOAL! Sweden 2-1 England (Bronze, 79)
Would it be anyone else?
78 min: Hemp is also off for Kelly. A solid game from Hemp but she should have had a goal with all of her chances.
78 min: Kelly is strapping her shinpads on as England look to make another change but it won’t come just yet. Zigiotti Olme is being checked out after some head contact with Agyemang but she is okay to continue. Sweden make two changes with Asllani off for Hurtig and Janogy on for Rolfo.
76 min: Sweden’s defence is so well drilled right now. Holmberg has been a great edition and looks like she has years of experience in her but she’s just 18. Sweden have been the dark horses of this competition.
74 min: Greenwood’s delivery is a good one and it pinballs around with Agyemang winning the first contact but Hemp’s header ends up in Falk’s hands.
73 min: James wins a free kick in a good position, can England get themselves back in this? Their chances are running out. Greenwood stands over the set piece.
72 min: Morgan came on with bits of paper from the coaches as she enters the field. The commentators just said Agyemang is the in case of emergency player, surely she should have been brought on at half time? Might have shaken things up a bit. But what do I know, Wiegman has won back-to-back Euros as a coach.
70 min: Wiegman rings the changes. Morgan, Agyemang and Mead on for Toone, Carter, Stanway. These should have happened earlier.
69 min: Stephen Holliday has emailed:
There’s just no urgency. Passes going astray. Lack of movement. Plenty of time still but something has to happen pretty quick.
I feel there is urgency but it is a lack of clinical edge that is letting England down. Sweden wise to everything they are doing. Why Wiegman hasn’t made a change is beyond me.
68 min: Also apologies, this half has been very England focused but it has been the Lionesses with the majority of the chances they just have not been clinical enough. Toone’s quote saying Sweden should be scared of England is ageing horribly.
67 min: England need to bring on an impact player and fast. Stars like Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang are just waiting to come on. Maybe it’s too little too late.
65 min: Oh my word why didn’t Toone try and shoot here herself? She got in a great position but instead of shooting she squares it back into the box and Sweden clear. They then counter and after a few chances Rytting Kaneryd’s shot is over the bar.
65 min: A lovely ball comes in from Williamson and Bronze crosses but Falk catches before Hemp can get to it. If England don’t find a goal soon they will be out.
Updated
64 min: Sweden players want a penalty here as Walsh tries to clear but she puts it into the arm of Bronze. The replays are shown and boos rain down onto the pitch from Sweden supporters but nothing is given.
62 min: Sweden make a change with Lundkvist is off for Holmberg, a defensive change.
60 min: James tries to pop a shot off but it’s deflected out for a corner, that looked like she was trying to replicate her stunner from the Netherlands game. Greenwood is the taker but it’s headed clear. Walsh pops it back in but it’s cleared again, some shouts for a penalty as Williamson is on the floor. She does catch a stray arm from Bjorn but nothing is given.
59 min: Greenwood and Toone pass the ball back and forth and then the Manchester City defender crosses it in from far out and it’s a waste as it goes out of play. England’s time is running out.
57 min: James wins a free kick but Asllani goes to the floor after an arm to the face. This may be a slight tactic to slow the game down but we’re quickly underway with Sweden giving away another free kick higher up the pitch.
56 min: Asllani wins the ball from Williamson and she passes to Blackstenius but she rifles the shot right at Hampton, who saves.
54 min: Some decisions are also going against England but Sweden are doing well to paint a picture for the referee, hence the whistle potentially going the way of the women in yellow. The Lionesses have started this half strongly though.
52 min: Bronze wins a great ball and James sets up another England attack. Russo and James are in a lovely one-two and the Chelsea player crosses beautifully but Hemp’s header is wide. It just feels like it is not England’s night tonight.
Updated
50 min: England did come from behind at the Euro 2022 quarter-final but they were only 1-0 in that game to Spain. this is such a big scoreline to overcome, especially with Sweden in such good form. For all the neutrals though, what a cracking game. England come through with a great chance now as Toone is found but her shot is saved, she was offside regardless.
Updated
48 min: England have to throw everything at this, they need to be bold and try something. They are out if they don’t. Here come England with Hemp down the left but Angeldahl wrestles back possession.
47 min: Samuel Jessop has emailed:
Aggie Beever-Jones and Agyemang two of the WSL’s best players last year and not getting a look in...
I think if England don’t do something, and fast, they will be two faces you will see.
Back underway: Sweden 2-0 England
Can England do what no women’s Euros team has done before and overcome a 2-0 deficit in a knockout game? Or will Sweden remain in full control? All to come. It doesn’t look like either side have made a change at the break.
Kari Tulinius has emailed:
I don’t think this match is over, but Wiegman will need to rally her troops during the break. Their confidence seems shot, they hesitate when they should press, and are hurried in possession. Meanwhile the Swedes seem like they have a plan in defense and move with certainty in attack.
You are exactly right, Kari. Sweden’s game plan is being executed so well and the confidence that it is bringing them is throwing England off.
I do find it interesting how pundits change their tune so quickly. Before the game it was all about how England were so calm and ready, now they’re saying England weren’t intense enough in their warm-up. Or are Sweden just tactically better?
Half-time: Sweden 2-0 England
It is the defending champions with all of the work to do as we reach the break in this quarter-final. Sweden have been absolutely incredible in this half with two early goals setting them apart. Can England climb the mountain and overcome this deficit? If Sweden continue as they are it’s difficult to see the Lionesses going through.
Updated
45 + 2 min: The set piece is dealt with by England. Just.
45 + 2 min: Rolfo with a magnificent run and she looks sure to score but Hampton makes a great save to stop her. Corner to come.
45 min: One minute added.
44 min: Here come Sweden again through Rytting Kaneryd but this time Greenwood blocks well.
43 min: What Sweden have done well is keeping two of England’s key players very quiet. Walsh and James have been so ineffective as they have been surrounded every time they have received the ball.
42 min: Rytting Kaneryd just saved the ball from going out for a corner, she is quietly going about her business at this Euros. Sweden will be really happy with the way they have handled the last five minutes or so, they have been under so much pressure but so far their defence has held.
40 min: Greenwood takes it, the delivery isn’t the best but it comes back to James who is immediately surrounded. The Lionesses keep it alive and Hemp square it but no one is there. Toone bends over with a bit of an issue but she doesn’t receive any treatment.
39 min: In the break, interestingly Carter is the one talking to Wiegman. The defender has had some tough moments in this game and hasn’t been her best but has settled now. Hemp back to her feet and she is okay to continue.
38 min: There is a break in play as Hemp receives treatment from that foul, she was hit in the face. Hopefully she will be okay to continue.
Updated
37 min: Hemp wins a free kick in a great position and England need to get something from this to revitalise their title defence.
37 min: Hemp does superbly to keep the ball on the pitch but her run to do so means she leave sit behind her. England keep up the pressure and this is a good spell from the defending champions but Sweden win it and counter. They feed Blackstenius but this time Carter comes out the winner and clears.
35 min: Hampton had to be confident there, she is high and absolutely wallops it upfield with Rolfo chasing her down.
34 min: Hemp wins a corner and takes the set piece herself. The delivery is a good one but Sweden head it clear. Carter pops it back in but it’s straight out of play. England have another chance with it popped into the box but Hemp’s attempt is easily saved.
32 min: I think the onus should be less on England playing badly – yes there has been some questionable defence – but more on Sweden being pinpoint with their accuracy. Their defence is so compact, they are making all the right attacking decisions and their goalkeeper has also played her par. They have tactically read England perfectly and deserve to be ahead.
30 min: Samuel Dobson has emailed:
Atmosphere at the pub increasingly bleak. Very easy to be an armchair manager - what does Wiegman do here other than hope Millie Bright magically appears in central defence?
Bright is a miss to this team but she wasn’t needed against the must-wins against the Netherlands and Wales so England can turn this around. They just need to score, ideally before half-time.
28 min: You have to say England have to be the next to score or the defending champions will surely be out. 2-0 down is a lot to ask, 3-0 is almost impossible. Toone has a chance but it’s blocked by Eriksson.
27 min: Blackstenius is in the form of her life right now. She scored the winner for Arsenal against Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final and that was her third goal of this Euros.
Blackstenius makes an excellent run to beat Greenwood and Carter can’t get back quickly enough. The Arsenal forward beats Hampton and Sweden are in full control.
Updated
GOAL! Sweden 2-0 England (Blackstenius, 25)
What a goal.
25 min: Eriksson takes the free kick that resulted from that foul but England clear it well. Aside from those loose passes early on, the Lionesses aren’t playing badly. It’s just Sweden are absolutely inch perfect at the moment.
23 min: Rytting Kaneryd is such a threat down the right hand side, her latest cross blocked but she is being allowed an abundance of space. They need to close her down faster. Now a one-on-one challenge goes the way of Sweden even though Bronze won the ball.
Updated
21 min: James takes the corner, short to Hemp and it was a mistake as Asllani deals with the threat without the ball getting into the area. It’s all going Sweden’s way right now.
20 min: Sweden’s defence is so compact and high pressing that England have no space whatsoever when they do create an attacking chance. Andersson concedes a corner while marshalling James.
19 min: Sweden are running rings around England when they get on the front foot, it takes them no time at all to get the ball from one end to the other. Williamson the only England defender who looks confident right now.
17 min: Sweden have won their last 17 Euros matches when they have opened the scoring, an ominous stat for England. Sweden come forward again now with Rytting Kaneryd popping it into the area but Rolfo’s shot is blocked.
15 min: James is surrounded by Sweden players but she does so well to keep the play alive. It comes rattling into the area and Falk comes out to punch away, Hemp is caught in the crossfire but no foul committed. The Manchester City player is okay to continue.
14 min: Hampton showing how much England need some time to collect themselves, she picks it up and takes her time with a goal kick. England try to create something from it but Greenwood’s kick is ushered out for a goal kick up the other end.
12 min: England creeping up the pitch here with a few throw ins but then Stanway gives away a cheap foul, showing their frustrations in these early exchanges.
10 min: England will have to do something they haven’t done so far in this tournament to win this game, come from behind. In the France game they conceded first and lost 2-1. In their 4-0 and 6-1 wins against the Netherlands and Wales they scored first. Can they do it? Right now Sweden look like they are cruising.
9 min: On the replay Falk gets a touch to Hemp’s effort, a vital save from the goalkeeper. What an opening to this game, it has not let up at all with Sweden on the front foot once again.
Updated
7 min: England come forward for the first time in this match and they almost equalise. Hemp has a magical effort but it is off the bar. That may be exactly what they need to calm themselves.
6 min: Oh my word, Carter with a loose pass to Hampton and England are all over the place. Williamson excellently comes back to block. Sweden corner which is cleared.England need to get their heads in this game, Sweden look much the brighter team so far.
Updated
4 min: Carter with another loose pass that led to that, she will want this game to settle so she can recollect herself from that. A very similar start to that against France.
It’s another sloppy bit of defending from England and they gift Sweden the ball. In that position Asllani doesn’t miss, her 50th goal for her country. A great moment for her.
Updated
GOAL! Sweden 1-0 England (Asllani, 2)
That didn’t take long.
2 min: Why did I think a Euros was a good time to stop biting my nails? It will take all of the will power to keep my habit in check. Early on there is an error from Carter with a loose pass. Sweden try to piece together and attack but Asllani then has a rogue pass straight out of play.
Kick-off! Sweden 0-0 England
Can England replicate their famous win from three years ago? Or will Sweden get their revenge? All to come.
Sarina Wiegman applauded her players onto the pitch, stood just to the side of the Lionesses as they walked out. She’s smiling.
The players are out and the anthems will soon be in full flow. How are the nerves everyone? They will only get worse over the next 90 minutes and potentially more if they are level at full-time. The camera also just scanned the crowd and Denmark captain Pernille Harder is in the stadium, she is the partner of Sweden defender Magdalena Eriksson.
Updated
Peter Oh has emailed:
I just happened to be listening to INXS’s song Kick, off the album of the same name from 1987.
It’s not a football song but the lyric ‘Sometimes you kick, sometimes you get kicked’ is one every football player at any level can relate to.
I think we might see a few examples of this tonight …
It’s another pristine blue sky in Zurich over this blockbuster quarter-final between two of the world’s best teams. The well-organised fan walks to the stadium, which have been one of the real off-pitch highlights of this tournament, were loud and colourful, full of vibrancy. Now we’ve got some ABBA blasting out of the speakers here inside the stadium. The winner will certainly take it all.
Also the Fifa president Gianni Infantino is expected to be here in the stadium tonight, amongst the VIPs ...
Updated
Josh Reynolds has emailed:
I don’t know if this counts but I do sing it to myself a lot and I’m not from anywhere near Europe, much less Wales.
The graphics on this video leaves a lot to be desired but I can see why you sing it a lot, definitely an earworm.
Sarina Wiegman, England coach, has added:
It’s a very strong team. I think they always perform at tournaments, and they can play very physically but they also have pace up front, and they’re good in the air. But we also see some weaknesses, which we hope to expose.
Peter Gerhardsson, Sweden coach, has said:
Both we and England are better now than we were in 2022 [when they met at the Women’s Euro]. I hope we can show it here because last time we couldn’t show our potential. I hope it’s a good game and I hope we win.
I would really like to hear from you about footballing songs. I’ve been listening to a fair few over the tournament and I’m wondering which are your favourites. They don’t necessarily have to relate to England or Sweden, just any that you enjoy. Personally I love when fans adapt Gala’s song ‘Freed from Desire’ to reflect a lyric like ‘Beth Mead’s on fire, your defence is terrified’. Email me and let me know.
Updated
Current Arsenal boss Renee Slegers had been billed as BBC pundit for Euro 2025 but she is yet to feature and currently former manager Jonas Eidevall, who hadn’t been mentioned pre-tournament, is on the screen. Swapping and changing Gunners bosses.
And some Swedish stars include:
Here are some England stars to keep an eye on this evening:
Team news
The team news is in. For Sweden have made two changes to their starting XI with Hanna Lundkvist and Julia Zigiotti Olme coming in for Hanna Bennison and Smilla Holmberg.
Sweden: Falk; Lundkvist, Bjorn, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldahl, Asllani, Zigotti Olme; Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Rolfo
Subs: Holmgren, Enblom, Sembrant, Nildén, Janogy, Hurtig, Jakobsson, Ilestedt, Wangerheim, Bennison, Holmberg, Blomqvist
England, meanwhile, make no changes to the team who beat Wales last time out.
England: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Carter, Greenwood; Toone, Walsh, Stanway; James, Russo, Hemp
Subs: Keating, Moorhouse, Charles, Mead, Le Tissier, Clinton, Morgan, Agyemang, Kelly, Beever-Jones, Park, Wubben-Moy
Updated
Updated
An excellent, as always, piece from Jonathan Liew focused on this quarter-final is exactly the story to read before this match kicks off:
Did you wonder why Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead clicked their fingers in celebration of a goal against Wales? Arsenal’s Kelly explains all:
The Guardian columnist and USWNT manager Emma Hayes has previewed this quarter-final, you can read her analysis here:
For a nation with a population of 10 million, with a men’s national side that failed to quality for three of the past four World Cups, Sweden have a track record in women’s football that belongs to a sporting superpower.
Sweden finished third at three of the past four Women’s World Cups and are five-time World Cup semi-finalists. They also claimed the silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo Olympics. In Europe, their success is even more consistent and they stand one win from a 10th European semi-final when they meet England in Zurich on Thursday. Their men’s national side has not reached a world or European semi-final for more than 30 years.
England defender Lucy Bronze has said:
Every other team wants to replicate what England did in 2022, what the Netherlands did before us, and really boost women’s football and we know that success comes from that. We know that we’re very fortunate in England that when we have success it really does explode the game and I think it’s what we want all over Europe and all over the world.
More here:
One quarter-final has already been played and it saw Italy beat Norway to progress to the last four at a women’s major tournament for the first time since 1997. They will be the opponent for whoever wins tonight’s match and you can catch up on all the action from last night’s quarter-final here:
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the Euro 2025 quarter-final between Sweden and defending champions England.
The Lionesses had a bumpy start to their campaign but finished the group stage strongly to reach the last eight, while Sweden have recorded three wins from three so far.
It is set to be a tight match with the nations among the favourites to win the entire tournament. The game is a repeat of the Euro 2022 semi-final where England beat Sweden 4-0 but the scoreline is not set to be as one-sided this time around.
Before the team news drops at around 6.45pm BST, we can take a look at what has been said in the build-up and big news from around the tournament. Let’s go.
Updated
