England’s Remarkable Comeback
In a remarkable display of resilience, England overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Sweden in a thrilling penalty shootout, securing their spot in the Euro 2025 semifinals. The match, which ended in a stalemate after extra time, featured one of the most unusual and prolonged penalty shootouts in tournament history.
The Penalty Shootout Drama
The drama unfolded at the penalty spot after 120 minutes of intense play. England’s Alessia Russo took the first shot, finding the back of the net with a well-placed strike. With the score at 1-0, England’s goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, showcased her skills by saving Filippa Angeldahl‘s attempt, leaving Sweden scoreless.
However, the tension heightened when Lauren James failed to convert her penalty, as Sweden’s goalkeeper, Jennifer Falk, easily thwarted the shot. Julia Zigiotti Olme then leveled the score for Sweden with a powerful shot into the top corner, making it 1-1.
England’s Beth Mead could not capitalize, sending her penalty wide, while Magdalena Eriksson hit the post for Sweden, maintaining the 1-1 scoreline. England’s misfortunes continued as Alex Greenwood‘s kick was once again saved by Falk.
Nathalie Björn then put Sweden ahead with her successful penalty, making it 2-1. Chloe Kelly kept England’s hopes alive with a crucial equalizer. The stakes were raised when Falk, the goalkeeper, stepped forward to take Sweden’s next penalty, but shockingly misfired, sending her shot far above the crossbar.
Sudden Death and Unusual Outcomes
As the shootout progressed into sudden death, both teams encountered further misses. Grace Clinton‘s attempt was saved, but Sweden’s Sofia Jakobsson also failed to find the net against Hampton. Lucy Bronze then confidently scored for England, placing them ahead 3-2, putting pressure on Smilla Holmberg, who subsequently missed her chance to equalize for Sweden.
In a bizarre turn of events, England triumphed despite missing three consecutive penalties during the shootout. With a total of nine missed penalties from both teams combined, this match not only highlighted the pressures of a knockout game but also saw Falk set a Women’s Euro record for the most saves in a penalty shootout, ultimately leading to her team’s loss. This game will surely be remembered for its extraordinary twists and turns.
