England Thrash Sweden 4-0 To Book Their Place In The Euro 2022 Final At Wembley
England booked their place in the final of Euro 2022 with a 4-0 win over Sweden in their semi-final at Bramall Lane.
Goals from Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby handed England an emphatic victory to end the Lionesses' run of three consecutive semi-final defeats in major tournaments.
Sarina Wiegman’s side are now through to Sunday's final at Wembley and will face either Germany or France, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
WHAT. A. PERFORMANCE.
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 26, 2022
WE ARE HEADING TO THE #WEURO2022 FINAL! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/5slvrnjm7q
Sweden, the world's No 2 ranked team according to FIFA, started the match the stronger of the two sides and went close to an early goal when Sofia Jakobsson tested England goalkeeper Mary Earps inside the opening minute.
They went close again minutes later, Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius heading onto the bar from six yards out.
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England grew into the game as the half wore on and took the lead in the 34th minute with their first big chance of the match.
After Ellen White had narrowly missed a cross from the left wing, Lucy Bronze collected possession on the right and delivered a dangerous ball back into the box.
Another look at that Alessia Russo goal? Oh, go on then. 😍
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 26, 2022
Live: https://t.co/zg8cPsrbEf#BBCFootball #BBCEuros pic.twitter.com/9y7bdKLZ5r
Beth Mead expertly controlled the delivery before firing an unstoppable shot past Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl to score her sixth goal of the tournament.
England went in at the break ahead and doubled their lead just two minutes after the restart when Bronze headed in from a corner, with the goal awarded after a VAR check for offside.
The hosts went close to a third when second-half substitute Alessia Russo set up Lauren Hemp but the Manchester City forward could only direct her shot onto the bar.
But minutes later they had a third in spectacular fashion.
WEMBLEY AWAITS 🤩
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 26, 2022
WE'LL SEE YOU ON SUNDAY FOR THE #WEURO2022 FINAL! pic.twitter.com/InKRZKBABt
After Russo saw her initial shot well saved by Lindahl, the Manchester United forward somehow managed to direct an improvised back-heeled finish through the Sweden goalkeeper's legs.
Fran Kirby then made it 4-0 with a chip over Lindahl, who was clearly affected by Russo's incredible strike just moments earlier.
England eased to victory to reach their first final since 2009 and are now just one win away from becoming European champions for the very first time.
Rory O'Callaghan