Women's European Championship quarter-finals: England reach the semi-finals after a penalty shootout against Sweden

England's women's soccer team kept their dream of successfully defending their title at the European Championships in Switzerland alive in a dramatic penalty shootout. Coach Sarina Wiegman's long-disappointing team rallied from a 2-0 deficit against Sweden in the quarterfinals in Zurich, winning 3-2 on penalties. After 120 minutes, the score was 2-2 (2-2, 2-0).

In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Jennifer Falk became Sweden's tragic heroine, saving four penalties but missing the deciding penalty herself. Lucy Bronze ultimately fired England into the semifinals, while Smilla Holmberg lost her nerve as the last shooter. The Lionesses will face Italy in the semifinals on Tuesday (9:00 p.m.) in Geneva for a spot in the final.

In regular time, Bronze (79th minute) and substitute Michelle Agyemang (81st minute) forced the long-weak English into extra time. The Swedes, who had thrashed Germany 4-1 in the group stage, had initially taken the lead through captain Kosovare Asllani (2nd minute) and Stina Blackstenius (25th minute). The British women are now eyeing a second consecutive title three years after their triumph at home, while Sweden must still wait for their first European Championship trophy since 1984.

In front of 22,397 spectators at Zurich's Letzigrund Stadium, England started the match with high nerves and handed Sweden the lead. Jess Carter and Keira Walsh lost possession in their own penalty area before Blackstenius found the onrushing Asllani, who coolly fired home. Just three minutes later, Sweden almost doubled their lead when England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton lost the ball to Blackstenius. Captain Leah Williamson made a desperate save to deny the striker's shot.

As the game progressed, it initially appeared as if the British had settled down, and they even had their first chance to score when Lauren Hemp hit the crossbar in the 6th minute. Nevertheless, they were anything but solid defensively, with Sweden looking more imperative. After a through ball, Blackstenius outran the overwhelmed Carter and finished from a tight angle. Shortly before halftime, Hampton saved England from falling even further behind when Fridolina Rolfö fired a long-range shot (45+1).

After halftime, the English came out of the dressing room with more momentum, with Hemp narrowly missing a goal with a header (51'). But Wiegman's team repeatedly put themselves under pressure, and Hampton was again forced to make a strong save after a counterattack against Blackstenius (55'). England grew stronger in the closing stages, with a double strike from Bronze and Agyemang forcing them into extra time, where the teams engaged in a tough exchange. A penalty was needed to decide the game.