Sweden 2 England 2 (2-3 pens)
July 17 – In a dramatic quarter-final, European champions England defeated Sweden 3-2 in a penalty shootout to complete a stunning comeback from two goals down in the first half. Their dreams of retaining their live on.
Never count out England. At times, they seemed utterly lost, at times they seemed desperate, but two goals down and with 11 minutes left on the clock, Sarina Wiegman and her team showed great resilience to draw level, take the game to extra time and eventually win from the penalty spot. Not even four saves from Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk could stop England. They were a cat with nine lives, but when Smilla Holmberg skied her spot kick, the fourteenth in the shootout, England were through to the last four.
And yet, for the longest of times, England had seemed down, outclassed and outplayed by Sweden. The Lionesses almost never recovered from Sweden’s two opening goals inside the first 25 minutes. In reality, they were second best for much of the evening.
It was a deja vu from the France defeat for England. After one minute and forty four seconds, they were behind. In an ominous stat for England, Sweden had won their last 17 Euro matches after taking the lead.
The Lionesses struggled with Sweden’s intensity and high press, a strategy manager Peter Gerhardsson has weaponised throughout the tournament. By the sixth minute, England’s tournament was almost over. Carter’s poor clearance almost gift-wrapped Sweden’s second but Leah Williamson intervened with a crucial tackle.
It would prove just a stay of execution. Whenever Sweden attacked they ran rings around England. They found the right passes at the right moments and made the ball go around. Blackstenius was rampant, Asllani defied her age and down the right, Rytting Kaneryd was a constant threat.
Sweden’s game plan targeted England’s left-hand side. Carter was never going to match the pace of Blackstenius and so it proved in the 25th minute when the Arsenal striker got in behind Alex Greenwood and the England number 16 to double Sweden’s lead with a simple finish. The Scandinavians were in full control and on the stroke of half-time, Fridolina Rolfo almost ended the contest when she breezed past Williamson but found Hannah Hampton in the way of a third.
England had simply not been good enough. In the breathtaking opening exchanges, Lauren Hemp’s calibrated seventh-minute attempt rattled the crossbar after the Swedish goalkeeper got her fingertips to the ball, but it was just about the only danger England would create in the entire first half.
The Lionesses returned from the dressing room first, ready to throw the kitchen sink. With an inch-perfect cross, Lauren James found Hemp in the box, but her flying header flashed wide. At least, England, with their title on the line, showed intent, even if, at the other end, Blackstenius riffled a shot at Hampton.
In the 70th minute, Wiegman, at last, enforced a triple change, with Beth Mead, Esme Morgan and Michelle Agyemang coming on. With the tournament slipping away from her team, it proved to be a masterstroke. England rallied with an incredible two-goal blitz in the space of as many minutes.
At the far post, Lucy Bronze rocketed in a header from a Chloe Kelly cross and it was Kelly again who provided a perfect cross for Agyemang to equalise. The Arsenal player had featured less than 40 minutes in international football but this was her first major tournament goal. All of a sudden, the Swedish who had looked so assured, were wobbling. In injury time, Russo, on the counter, had the ultimate chance to win the match, but her attempt was deflected.
In a cagey extra time, England tired with Williamson and James close to injuries. Sweden held the upper hand slightly, but the quarterfinal very much hung in the balance. Even in the penalty shootout, England didn’t look very good and Falk with three saves seemed to be decisive before she blasted her own – and Sweden’s fifth – penalty over the bar. It was another momentum swing, even if Falk saved Grace Clinton’s next spot kick. Lucy Bronze remained composed to beat Falk before Holmberg missed and burst into tears.
England had clung on. Under Wiegman, they have never lost a penalty shootout. The manager had been vindicated for promoting Hampton to number one. She had proved decisive in open play and in the shootout. Yet, this was very much collective performance. England wriggled their way through. Italy await in Geneva and some will already be dreaming of the final.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1752796987labto1752796987ofdlr1752796987owedi1752796987sni@i1752796987tnuk.1752796987ardni1752796987mas1752796987
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