England Women's defence of their European Championships crown somehow remains alive thanks to a sensational 3-2 penalty win over Sweden in their quarter-final following a 2-2 draw in Zurich.

A far cry from the team that put four past the Netherlands and six past Wales, Sarina Wiegman's side were initially suffocated by the relentless Swedes, who struck inside just two minutes through Kosovare Asllani.

Stina Blackstenius claimed the assist for Sweden's opener before getting in on the act herself, and it was nothing less than the Scandinavians deserved as they hustled and harried England at every opportunity.

There was no let-up as the second half began, but England soon stifled the Swedish threat and demonstrated their title-winning credentials, as quickfire goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang dramatically wiped out Blagult's two-goal lead and forced extra time.

Wiegman's side survived a barrage of Swedish attacks in the additional 30 to trigger a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, where a Hannah Hampton save from Filippa Angeldahl preceded Jennifer Falk denying Lauren James early on.

Neither side were giving a clinic in penalty-taking, as Beth Mead and Alex Greenwood also had efforts stopped by Falk, either side of Magdalena Ericsson hitting the post.

Nathalie Bjorn's successful effort put Sweden one spot kick away from glory, but Kelly kept England in the tie before Falk blazed the potential winning penalty over the bar.

However, the Swedish number one immediately redeemed herself by saving from Grace Clinton, although the twists and turns just kept on coming, as Hampton sprung to her right to deny Sofia Jakobsson.

Bronze's emphatic strike into the roof of the net put England on the brink of the final four, and after 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg's penalty cleared the bar, the Lionesses exploded into euphoria.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Never doubt the champions. Never doubt Wiegman's substitutes. Never doubt the heroic Hampton. England's bid for back-to-back Euros titles remains alive by the skin of the skin of their teeth.

It would have been too easy to write the holders off after a dismal first half, where Sweden could and maybe should have scored more than just the two goals, but the belief instilled in this crop of England mentality monsters cannot be called into question.

Not until Wiegman turned to the bench did the Lionesses finally come good in the final third, but better late than never for a Kelly-inspired England, who then defended like their lives depended on it in extra time.

The less said about the quality of penalty taking the better - unless your name is Bronze or Kelly - but all the plaudits belong to the two stoppers; can anyone else remember a goalkeeper saving four spot kicks in a shootout and still not emerging on the winning side?

As Falk and her teammates hang their heads in dejection, Hampton and England can continue to dream the European dream. It may still be coming home, again.

SWEDEN VS. ENGLAND HIGHLIGHTS

Kosovare Asllani goal vs. England (2nd min, Sweden 1-0 England)

A nightmare start for England ?

Kosovare Asllani finds the net and the Lionesses are behind after less than two minutes. #BBCFootball #WEuro2025 pic.twitter.com/AHp8YWfEMz

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 17, 2025

Asllani good touch across goal into bottom corner after Stina pass

As far as starts go, this one could not possibly be worse for the defending champions.

Sweden smother England in the Lionesses' defensive third, as Blackstenius picks a smart pass to Asllani, who adjusts herself and fires a brilliant low finish across Hampton's goal.

Stina Blackstenius goal vs. England (25th min, Sweden 2-0 England)

It's two.

Stina Blackstenius doubles Sweden's lead and England have a mountain to climb. #BBCFootball #WEuro2025 pic.twitter.com/ccBivuAxS6

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 17, 2025

Oh Blackstenius is having fun out there tonight. 

Once again, a fired-up Sweden outfit rob the ball from their opponents, as Lauren Hemp is overwhelmed and the challengers are away on the attack.

Julia Zigiotti Olme slips through the Arsenal forward, who is too quick and powerful for Jess Carter and slides the ball into the far side of the net from a tight angle.

Lucy Bronze goal vs. Sweden (79th min, Sweden 2-1 England)

Lucy Bronze pulls one back for England! #BBCFootball #WEuro2025 pic.twitter.com/qWJvTGb23I

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 17, 2025

Strap in for an unmissable finale!

The recently-introduced Kelly delivers a stunning inswinging cross to the back post, where Bronze peels away from her marker and heads into the exposed goal after Sweden goalkeeper Falk went walkabouts.

Michelle Agyemang goal vs. Sweden (81st min, Sweden 2-2 England)

INCREDIBLE! ?

Two goals in two minutes and England are level! #BBCFootball #WEuro2025 pic.twitter.com/j8s7ouI6Q8

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 17, 2025

Not one, not two, but three super subs weave their magic to dramatically claw England level!

Surprise surprise, another gorgeous Kelly delivery from the left causes chaos in the Sweden box, and Mead knocks down for Agyemang, who cannot miss from close in.

Smilla Holmberg penalty miss vs. England (Penalties, Sweden 2-2 England)

Absolute euphoria! ?

Lucy Bronze buries her penalty and Smilla Holmberg cannot hit the target - sending England through to the semi-finals! #BBCFootball #WEuro2025 pic.twitter.com/zXqD6IhIMz

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 17, 2025

Potentially the most frenetic penalty shootout a Euros will ever see comes to an end in quintessentially frenetic fashion.

Bronze absolutely leathers a classic defender's spot kick into the roof of the net, before Swedish youngster Holmberg clears the crossbar, triggering England elation and Scandinavian sorrow.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - CHLOE KELLY

Blackstenius hogged the spotlight in the first 45, but the introduction of Kelly completely turned the quarter-final on its head, as the Arsenal Champions League winner delivered her customary glorious crosses to devastating effect.

Kelly claimed a well-earned assist and pre-assist for England's two goals on the night, and the 27-year-old also converted a critical penalty to help the Lionesses on their way to the final four.

SWEDEN VS. ENGLAND MATCH STATS

Possession: Sweden 40%-60% England

Shots: Sweden 14-18 England

Shots on target: Sweden 7-4 England

Corners: Sweden 6-6 England

Fouls: Sweden 15-18 England

BEST STATS

England are into the semi-finals of the women's Euros for the third consecutive tournament:

◎ 2017 - Semi-final

◎ 2022 - ?

◉ 2025 - ❓

The Lionesses roar on in DRAMATIC fashion. ? pic.twitter.com/JPV3wOPoJu

— Squawka (@Squawka) July 17, 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Once the post-match celebrations have died down, England gear up for a mouthwatering semi-final against Italy in Geneva next Tuesday evening.

Either Spain, Switzerland, France or Germany will then await in the July 27 showpiece if Wiegman's champions can conquer the Le Azzurre, while an inconsolable Sweden will now go 24 years without a shot at glory in a Euros final since finishing as runners-up in 2001.

Written by
Ben Knapton