مدير عام كرة القدم
- Dramatic clash finished 2-2 after extra-time
- Nine penalties missed in eventful shootout
- Reigning champions to face Italy in last four
An absorbing quarter-final contest at Euro 2025 went all the way to spot-kicks after 120 minutes of action failed to separate the two sides. Sweden led 2-0 at half-time, only to see the Lionesses come roaring back late on courtesy of Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang.
A draining encounter took its toll as several players picked up knocks in extra-time – including Williamson and penalty-saving hero Hannah Hampton – and tired legs resulted in nine missed penalties before England eventually prevailed 3-2.
Williamson, who was forced to watch on from the bench after damaging her ankle, told BBC Sport of a shootout that saw Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton fluff their lines as Hampton saved two efforts and Sweden missed the target with three more: “I just feel really, really proud. That was awful to watch at the end, but the girls, I just love that we don’t ever give up. We’ve said it before, we’re never done. We don’t believe that we’re ever done. The fightback, the quality to turn the game around and then stay in it mentally – just incredible.”
Asked if the Lionesses had practised penalties, with some tame strikes being delivered by both teams: “Loads! I know there were a few more misses than normal but everybody does. It’s something you have to box off before a tournament. There’s so much science behind it nowadays. We know it. It’s the easiest and hardest thing in the world.”
Defending European champions England, who are looking to reach three successive major finals after coming agonisingly close to World Cup glory in 2023, are now preparing to face Italy in the semi-finals.
