Sports Desk:

Defending champions England pulled off a stunning comeback to reach the semifinals of the Women’s European Championship, edging Sweden 3-2 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

With just 12 minutes left, the Lionesses were staring at an early exit. But late goals from Lucy Bronze and teenage substitute Michelle Agyemang turned the tide, sending the match into extra time and eventually penalties.

“It was chaotic—maybe the craziest match I’ve ever experienced,” said England coach Sarina Wiegman. “This team never gives up, even when we’re not playing well. That resilience made the difference.”

The shootout saw a string of poor finishes, with both teams missing four penalties each. Ultimately, Bronze converted her spot kick while Sweden’s 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg fired over the bar, sealing England’s win.

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton described the shootout as “stressful,” saying, “Every save I made, I just hoped the next one would go in, but their keeper kept responding. It was tense.”

Sweden had taken early control, scoring twice in the first half through Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius. Hampton’s crucial saves kept England in the contest until Kelly and Agyemang’s late interventions.

The match marked the first time in Women’s Euros history that a team overturned a two-goal deficit in a knockout game.

Despite Sweden’s strong tournament run—including a 4-1 win over Germany—they fell short. Their coach Peter Gerhardsson, stepping down after eight years, called the outcome “melancholy,” expressing sorrow over the result.

England will face Italy in the semifinal on Tuesday in Geneva.