England’s Dramatic Win Over Sweden
ZURICH — As Smilla Holmberg‘s last penalty attempt sailed into the Zurich sky, the entire England squad rushed to celebrate with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. Manager Sarina Wiegman jumped into the arms of her assistant, Arjan Veurink. Meanwhile, a bloodied Hampton, following a collision that left her with a nose injury, found herself buried under her teammates as the Lionesses advanced to the Euro 2025 semifinals by defeating Sweden in a penalty shootout.
Wiegman’s Emotional Reflection
“It was tough,” Wiegman reflected later. “One of the most challenging games I’ve ever witnessed. Very emotional. We could’ve been eliminated multiple times throughout the match.”
England’s Struggles on the Field
For much of the game, England underperformed; Sweden took advantage of England’s mistakes and scored two goals within the first 25 minutes, courtesy of Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius, putting Sweden ahead 2-0 by the 25-minute mark. England’s defense appeared weak, their midfield nonexistent, and they struggled to connect their passes. Fortunately for the Lionesses, it was Hampton’s skills that prevented further damage as she made a stunning save just before halftime against Fridolina Rolfö.
England Makes Tactical Changes
Sweden controlled the match, refreshing memories of the earlier lesson from France in the tournament opener. The call for changes echoed in the stands as England needed new energy and a tactical shift. Before, during the 2022 tournament and again at the 2023 World Cup, Wiegman made impactful substitutions that turned the tide. This time, a shift in strategy was evident when substitutes Michelle Agyemang, Lucy Bronze, and others brought new life to the team, allowing England to mount a comeback.
Peculiar Penalty Shootout
As the match transitioned to penalties, both teams displayed erratic performance, with nine penalties either missed or saved. Sweden had ample opportunities to close the match, but their goalkeeper Jennifer Falk and player Sofia Jakobsson faltered, giving England the chance to clinch victory. Bronze’s decisive penalty sealed the win, causing jubilation when Holmberg also missed her attempt.
Looking Forward
England may count their blessings, but crucial improvements are needed before facing Italy. Despite this victory, England’s shaky defense and erratic passing need refinement. In overcoming a two-goal deficit, they achieved a significant historic comeback, showcasing their resilience and perseverance even amidst adversity.
