England squeaked into the Euro 2025 semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Sweden in Zurich.
Goals from Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius saw Sweden take a two-goal lead at the break as the Lionesses’ defensive frailties were exposed once again.
But Sarina Wiegman’s side produced a rousing comeback late in the second half as Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang scored in quick succession to take the game into extra time.
Penalties were eventually needed to separate the sides, and it was England who somehow emerged victorious after a remarkable shootout, which saw both teams miss a slew of spot-kicks.
The Lionesses now face Italy in the semi-finals.
Having suffered a 2-1 defeat to France in the opening group stage of the tournament, England had bounced back well to reach the knockouts with resounding wins over the Netherlands and Wales.
But the Lionesses’ noticeable lack of pace in defence was exposed once again as they went behind just two minutes into the first half.
Jess Carter and Kieira Walsh were both caught in possession, allowing Blackstenius to slide through Asllani, who finished powerfully past Hannah Hampton.
Just moments later, a miscontrol from Hampton almost allowed Blackstenius to double her side’s lead, but she was denied by a superb block from Arsenal teammate Leah Williamson.
England’s reprieve was short-lived, however, as Sweden doubled their lead after 25 minutes, Blackstenius latching onto a long ball over the top and muscling past Carter and finishing calmly past Hampton.
And the Lionesses were perhaps fortunate to not find themselves further behind at the break, with Hamton making a smart stop down low to deny Fridolina Rolfo.
Wiegman opted to make no changes at the break, but it was the introduction of Agyemang and Chloe Kelly in the 70th and 75th minute that sparked England’s revival.
First, Kelly turned provider, whipping in an enticing ball to the far post which was headed home by Bronze.
And the Arsenal winger delivered another dangerous ball into the box just moments later, with Agyemang on hand to coolly slot home the finish when the ball dropped at the Brighton striker’s feet.
England almost completed a remarkable turnaround in normal time, but Alessia Russo’s saw her late effort blocked.
An increasingly stop-starty encounter developed as the clock ticked into extra-time, with Nathalie Bjorn’s header from a free-kick the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the first 15 minutes.
England came closest to scoring a winner in the final moments of extra-time, but Russo snatched at a chance and miscued her effort when a loose ball dropped at her feet inside the penalty area.
And nerves got the better of both teams in the penalty shootout as well, with just seven of the 14 penalties scored by both sides.
Jennifer Falk looked poised to be the hero after saving four England penalties, but the Swedish keeper blazed over the bar with her effort to win the game.
Sweden were given another chance to win the shootout after Grace Clinton’s tame effort was saved by Falk, only for Sofia Jakobsson to see her shot tipped onto the post by Hampton.
Bronze, however, made no mistake with her penalty and it was then, quite remarkably, that England emerged victorious when Smilla Holmberg fired over the bar with the 14th and final penalty.
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