Defending champions England fought from two goals down and then survived an extraordinary penalty shootout 3-2 against Sweden to reach a sixth major semi-final in a row at women's Euro 2025.
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See subscription optionsLucy Bronze converted as the seventh England player before teenager Smilla Holmberg fired over for Sweden in the sudden death part of the shootout on Thursday.
Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved three spot kicks but then shot over when she had a chance to win it for them, which gave England the deciding lifeline.
"Stressful. Stressful watching, stressful playing," England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton told British broadcaster the BBC when asked about the shootout.
"Every time I saved one I was thinking 'please just put it in so we have a bit of a cushion.' Their keeper then just went and saved the next one and I was thinking 'oh goodness, here we go.'"
The score was locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes and extra time.
Stina Blackstenius set up Kosovare Asllani to open the scoring two minutes into the game, and then got the second herself in the 25th as Sweden were in full command.
But Bronze revived the Lionesses in the 79th minute, and the equaliser came two minutes later from teenaged substitute Michelle Agyemang.
England have now reached the semis at the last three World Cups and Euros while Sweden's wait for a first big title since Euro 1984 continues.
In the semi-finals on Tuesday in Geneva, England will face Italy, who beat Norway 2-1.
The other quarter-finals are hosts Switzerland up against world champions Spain on Friday, while France meet Germany on Saturday.
Australian Associated Press
