England Edge Past Sweden in Dramatic Penalty Shootout to Reach Euro 2025 Semifinals

England advanced to the semifinals of Euro 2025 on Thursday following a chaotic and nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Sweden that stretched to 14 players and saw more misses than goals. The dramatic quarterfinal clash, which ended 2-2 after extra time, was finally settled when Sweden’s 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg fired her side’s seventh penalty over the crossbar, sealing a 3-2 shootout victory for England.

The match had already delivered high drama before the penalties, with England battling back from a 2-0 deficit to force extra time. But no goals were scored in the additional 30 minutes, leading to one of the most extraordinary shootouts in tournament history.

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton emerged as the unlikely hero. Making her debut in a major international tournament following Mary Earps’ recent retirement, the 24-year-old produced two crucial diving saves during the shootout—despite playing with a bloodied nose packed with gauze after a knock to the face late in the game.

“I think I was better in the game with one nostril than when I was completely fine,” Hampton joked after the match. “Just happy and relieved now.”

While Hampton played a pivotal role, Sweden were also undone by their own misfires. Three of their penalties were missed, with two soaring high over the bar. On the England side, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly kept their nerve, but Jennifer Falk in Sweden’s goal denied efforts from Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood, and Grace Clinton.

The turning point came when Lucy Bronze, moments after strapping her thigh while lying on the pitch, stepped up as England’s sixth taker. Realizing the bandage might affect her kick, Bronze tore it off and blasted her penalty home with raw power.

“I didn’t expect it to go to the sixth penalty,” Bronze said. “But I thought ‘I need to take this off because I’m going to absolutely smack it.’”

That left Holmberg needing to convert to keep Sweden in contention. Instead, she sent the ball over the crossbar, bringing an end to a wild and nerve-shredding encounter.

“It was stressful watching, stressful playing,” said Hampton. “Every time I saved one I was thinking ‘please just put it in so we have a cushion.’ Then their keeper would save again and I thought ‘oh goodness, here we go.’”

England will now prepare for the Euro 2025 semifinals, with momentum—and resilience—firmly on their side.