Daijiworld Media Network – Zurich

Zurich, Jul 18: In a heart-stopping quarterfinal clash at the Letzigrund Stadium, defending champions England kept their Women’s Euro 2025 title hopes alive after a dramatic comeback and a tense 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Sweden on Thursday.

England looked down and out after going 0-2 behind at half-time, but late goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang brought the Lionesses back from the brink and forced extra time, eventually leading to a chaotic shootout.

Sweden, who had taken an early lead through Kosovare Asllani—marking her 50th international goal—and a clinical finish from Stina Blackstenius, seemed destined to advance. However, England’s resilience prevailed.

“This was one of the hardest games I have ever watched,” admitted England head coach Sarina Wiegman. “We started badly, didn’t create anything, but after changing our shape, we came back strong. The penalties were messy, but thankfully they missed more than we did.”

With the match tied 2-2 after extra time, both sides struggled from the spot in a nervy shootout. Sweden’s Smilla Holmberg skied her decisive attempt, while goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, who had earlier saved four penalties, missed her own effort, handing England the win.

Chloe Kelly, instrumental in the comeback and one of the few players to convert her penalty, said, “It’s not how we planned it, but it’s a valuable learning experience. The team’s resilience is unbelievable.”

The result crushed Sweden’s hopes of ending their title drought since their 1984 Euro triumph, leaving coach Peter Gerhardsson lamenting, “Right now it’s just sadness. We were so close, and it slipped away.”

England will now face Italy in the semifinal in Geneva on Tuesday, with the Italians reaching the last four for the first time since 1997.

Despite their impressive 10-goal haul in the group stages, England struggled in the early moments of the quarterfinal. Asllani’s second-minute strike stunned the English defence, and Blackstenius made it two with a composed finish in the 25th minute.

It wasn’t until the 79th minute that England responded, with Bronze nodding in a pinpoint cross from Kelly. Just two minutes later, substitute Agyemang capitalised on a rebound to level the score and ignite hopes of a comeback.

Extra time saw little goalmouth action, setting the stage for the penalty drama that would follow—a sequence of missed chances, high emotions, and ultimately, England’s gritty survival.

With the win, England take another step toward defending their European crown, while Sweden exit the tournament in agonising fashion.