#EURO2025: Tears on Both Sides - England Escape, Sweden Collapse in Zurich Thriller

From 2-0 down to penalty glory - an unstoppable late surge and brutal shoot-out twist crown the Lionesses, leaving Sweden in disbelief

Zurich bore witness to a quarter-final that will echo through the history of the Women's EURO. England, the reigning champs, looked dead and buried after a ruthless Sweden stormed to a 2-0 lead inside 25 minutes. But late drama, teenage heroics, and a penalty shoot-out soaked in suspense saw the Lionesses claw back, level, and eventually break Swedish hearts in a 3-2 shoot-out win after a 2-2 draw.

Kosovare Asllani, Sweden’s seasoned talisman, scored her 50th international goal and became the oldest quarter-final scorer in tournament history. Alongside Stina Blackstenius, she appeared to be ending England’s reign. But in stepped Lucy Bronze and 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, who flipped the script in 120 seconds. When the shoot-out rolled in like a thundercloud, goalkeepers Hannah Hampton and Jennifer Falk turned into headline acts. Falk made four saves—including a potential winner—only to miss herself. Hampton saved the day once more, and Bronze buried the final blow. Up next? Italy in the semis. But for now, England are still dancing.

The Lowdown

• England became the first team ever to overturn a two-goal deficit in a Women's EURO knockout tie.

• Sweden's Kosovare Asllani reached 50 international goals and a record fifth EURO quarter-final.

• Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang scored two minutes apart to level the match at 2-2.

• Hannah Hampton was named Player of the Match after key saves, including in the shoot-out.

• England advance to face Italy in the semi-finals on July 22 in Geneva.

“We said at half-time we don’t want to go home” – Hannah Hampton

England were shellshocked early—Asllani pounced for the opener, then Blackstenius doubled it after a blistering run. But Sarina Wiegman’s bench sparked the comeback.

Bronze met Chloe Kelly’s cross for 2-1. Agyemang scored just two minutes later off another Kelly ball. From then, the mental tide shifted.

Hampton kept England in it with saves from Janogy and Angeldahl. Then came the chaotic shoot-out, where both teams missed multiple chances to seal it.

“We were really struggling, but we fought ourselves back. That was just incredible.” — Sarina Wiegman“I would just prefer the game didn’t go to penalties!” — Hannah Hampton

“What a way to win a game” – Lucy Bronze

Bronze wasn’t just on the scoresheet—she buried the final penalty too. Her header got England’s first goal, and her experience led them through the chaos.

She hadn't taken a penalty for England before but stepped up in sudden death and converted, proving once again that clutch moments don't scare champions.

“I’ve never taken a penalty for England [before], but I’m confident in my ability.” — Lucy Bronze“I can always bring energy when we may be lacking.” — Lucy Bronze

“We had the team to win this tournament” – Kosovare Asllani

Sweden bossed the first half. Asllani and Blackstenius were clinical. But their defense, so solid early on, fell apart in the final stretch.

Coach Gerhardsson’s last match in charge ends in heartbreak. He made bold subs—replacing Holmberg with Lundkvist, inserting Janogy late—but couldn’t stop England’s wave.

“You feel a certain sadness... Sometimes things do not go your way.” — Peter Gerhardsson“I can’t take in what just happened.” — Kosovare Asllani

“Four saves and a miss – this shoot-out was chaos”

Jennifer Falk saved four of England’s seven penalties—including back-to-back stops on James and Mead—and even stepped up for the winning kick. But she blazed it over. Hampton then denied Jakobsson, and Bronze sealed it.

Both goalkeepers turned into penalty box legends. But only one is heading to Geneva.

“Every time her team-mates missed a penalty she brought England back.” — UEFA Technical Panel“Falk made four saves. But it still wasn’t enough.”

Quickfire

Who was the game-changer for England?

Michelle Agyemang. The 19-year-old scored the equaliser and nearly assisted a winner in stoppage time.

Most heart-breaking miss?

Jennifer Falk—after saving four penalties, her own effort to win it went over the bar.

Biggest stat?

England are the first team to ever come back from 2-0 down in a Women’s EURO knockout tie.

Next stop?

England face Italy in Geneva on Tuesday, July 22 at 21:00 CET.