Reigning, defending European champions England pulled off an incredible two-goal comeback and won a seven-round penalty shootout against Sweden that saw the two sides convert just five times total, booking their place in the Women’s EURO 2025 semifinals against Italy on Tuesday.
MORE — Women’s EURO 2025 scores & knockout schedule
Sweden were 2-0 ahead before the half-hour mark as Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius each score on counter-attacks that started from a high press. In truth, it was a putrid first-half performance by England (3 shots, 0.12 xG) but Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses roared to life after the break and eventually got the goals they needed, but not until late on.
Lucy Bronze headed home another brilliant ball from Chloe Kelly in the 79th minute and Michelle Agyemang swept home a knock-down ball inside the six-yard box to equalize two minutes later.
The list of penalty takers who missed was longer than the ones who didn’t, with stars Lauren James, Beth Mead and Alex Greenwood missing successively in rounds 2, 3 and 4. With a chance to win the shootout and send Sweden through to the semis, goalkeeper Jennifer Falk stepped to the spot and blazed her effort over the bar, handing England another lifeline (they still would require another) in the form of sudden-death. Grace Clinton missed first in round 6, but so did Sofia Jakobsson. Lucy Bronze scored in round 7 and 18-year-old Smila Holmberg booted hers off target as well.
SWEDEN MISSES AND ENGLAND IS HEADING TO THE SEMIFINALS 😱🏴
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 17, 2025
🏴: ✅❌❌❌✅❌✅
🇸🇪: ❌✅❌✅❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/xpf5JT9DIS
Sweden vs England live updates - by Andy Edwards
Sweden vs England final score: 2-2 (2-3 PKs)
Goalscorers: Kosovare Asllani (2'), Stina Blackstenius (25'), Lucy Bronze (79'), Michelle Agyemang (81')
Penalty shootout
Sweden (2)
- Made: Julia Zigiotti Olme, Nathalie Bjorn
- Missed: Filippa Angeldahl, Magdalena Eriksson, Jennifer Falk, Sofia Jakobsson, Smilla Holmberg
England (3)
- Made: Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, Lucy Bronze
- Missed: Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood, Grace Clinton
GOAL! Sweden 2-2 England: Agyemang cleans up in the 6-yard box (81')
ENGLAND DRAWS LEVEL! 🏴
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 17, 2025
Agyemang makes it back-to-back goals for the Lionesses 🤯 pic.twitter.com/L5Jq71qrsJ
GOAL! Sweden 2-1 England: Bronze heads home at the back post (79')
GOAL for the Lionesses! 🔥
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 17, 2025
Lucy Bronze pulls one back for England after a lovely ball from Kelly! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/m2YfnXleGc
GOAL! Sweden 2-0 England: Blackstenius races past everyone and tucks it away (25')
SWEDEN AGAIN! 🇸🇪
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 17, 2025
Stina Blackstenius makes it 2-0 over the defending champions! 👀 pic.twitter.com/PJ9kR4yBQt
GOAL! Sweden 1-0 England: Asllani capitalizes on a sloppy giveaway (2')
SWEDEN TAKES THE LEAD LESS THAN 2 MINUTES IN! 🇸🇪
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 17, 2025
Kosovare Asllani scores after England gives it away! pic.twitter.com/h3CtQs6wyd
Sweden starting lineup
Falk - Lundkvist, Bjorn, Eriksson, Andersson - Asllani, Olme, Angeldal - Kaneyrd, Rolfo, Blackstenius
England starting lineup
Hampton - Bronze, Williamson, Carter, Greenwood - Walsh, Stanway, Toone - James, Hemp, Russo
How to watch Sweden vs England live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3 pm ET, Thursday
How to watch: Fox Sports
Sweden focus, team news
The Swedes went a perfect 9-for-9 points and conceded just one goal during the group stage, as they breezed right on by Germany, Poland and Denmark. Star striker Stina Blackstenius (41 goals, 120 caps) is the key for Sweden, making the counter-attack a constant threat when England are likely to dominate possession. Blackstenius scored twice during the Group C play and is already quite familiar with the heart of England’s defense: Arsenal teammate and England captain, Leah Williamson.
England focus, team news
Only Spain (14) scored more goals during the group stage than England (11), with Lauren James, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone all netting twice. The Lionesses weren’t half bad defensively either, giving up just three goals on their wins over the Netherlands and Wales, and a tournament-opening defeat to France. Sarina Wiegman hasn’t made a change to her starting XI in either of England’s last two games — both wins — after she moved Toone (2 goals, 2 assists) into the lineup and shifted Lauren James to the right wing.
Sweden vs England prediction
This one feels like a stalemate headed for penalties. Sweden 1-1 (3-4 PKs) England.
