England produced a remarkable comeback to continue the defence of their European title as they beat Sweden in a breathtaking quarter-final penalty shootout.
Defender Lucy Bronze, England’s seventh penalty taker, slammed her spot-kick into the roof of the net before Sweden’s Smilla Holmberg put her effort over the bar at the end of a chaotic shootout.
Sweden only scored two of their seven penalties, with England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saving two of them, while her Swedish counterpart Jennifer Falk kept out four spot-kicks and missed a chance to win it when she put her shot over the bar.
Victory for Sarina Wiegman’s side came after they fought back from 2-0 down with 11 minutes of normal time left, to take the game to extra time in Zurich.
Sweden had gone 2-0 up after 25 minutes through captain Kosovare Asllani and Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius as England struggled to create much.
But Bronze headed in Chloe Kelly’s cross with 11 minutes to go and teenage substitute Michelle Agyemang calmly slotted the ball past Falk from close range moments later.
England will face Italy on Tuesday, 22 July at 20:00 BST for a place in the Euro 2025 final.
