England defeated Sweden in a 'ridiculous' penalty shootout to reach the Women's Euro 2025 semi-final - as nine penalties were missed or saved.
The Lionesses fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to take the game to extra time, with Lucy Bronze and substitute Michelle Agyemang scoring on 79 and 81 minutes respectively.
The additional 30 minutes failed to yield a winning goal, though Alessia Russo had a half chance with seconds left on the clock.
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Sarina Wiegman's side may instead be counting the cost of that 30-minute period, as captain Leah Williamson was forced off with an ankle injury.
But after a brutal ending to the match, with Bronze being inadvertently kicked in the head, Alex Greenwood landing hard on her shoulder and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton suffering a blooded nose, England did somehow make it to penalties with 11 players on the pitch.
The Lionesses had won both of their most recent penalty shootouts 4-2, meaning there was an air of confidence that you normally don't have watching the England men's team.
Russo scored England's first penalty, but Filippa Angeldahl's subsequent spot kick for Sweden being saved set the tone for what was to come from both goalkeepers.
Lauren James, Beth Mead and Greenwood missed three consecutive spot kicks for the Lionesses, before Chloe Kelly's inch-perfect effort restored hope.
Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk then stepped up but blazed her effort over the bar, restoring parity.
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It was then Sweden's turn to miss three penalties in a row, and after England's Grace Clinton had her effort saved, Bronze then emphatically smashed her spot kick down to the middle to give her side the advantage.
And when young defender Smilla Holmberg's shot went well over, England were - finally - winners.
It was a night for the goalkeepers, with the two shot-stoppers pulling off an incredible six saves between them.
Falk's four saves sets a record across all men's and women's European Championship tournaments.
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In the end, nine of the 14 penalties were missed.
England boss Wiegman herself described the shootout as 'ridiculous' and explained what likely caused so many misses.
She told ITV Sport: "What an emotional game it was, unbelievable.
"Ridiculous penalty shootout. I thought three times that we were out. But they missed more than we did, and we're through.
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"I think that's fatigue [causing the misses], intensity. I don't know. These players can kick a ball, and they can all score a penalty.
"But everything - the pressure, the fatigue, the fans, what's on the line. We've done better in the other two penalty shootouts! But the outcome is the same - we win."
Topics: England, Sarina Wiegman, Womens Football, Sweden
Ryan Smart