England secured a dramatic victory over Sweden in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, advancing to the semifinals after a remarkable penalty shootout. The match, held on March 15, 2025, saw England come back from a 2-0 deficit, culminating in one of the most unusual and prolonged penalty shootouts in the tournament’s history.
After 120 intense minutes resulted in a 0-0 draw, the teams faced the high-stakes pressure of penalties. England’s Alessia Russo was the first to step up, confidently scoring the opening penalty by placing it into the corner, making it England 1, Sweden 0. The momentum shifted when England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made a crucial save against Filippa Angeldahl, maintaining the lead for England.
Despite the promising start, England’s next two attempts faltered. Lauren James saw her shot easily stopped by Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, and Beth Mead followed suit, failing to find the net as Falk saved once more. The score remained 1-0 until Julia Zigiotti Olme equalized for Sweden with a powerful strike, leveling the shootout at 1-1.
As the shootout progressed, both teams experienced a series of misses. Magdalena Eriksson hit the post, failing to capitalize on her chance, while Alex Greenwood had her penalty saved by Falk. With Sweden then taking the lead through Nathalie Björn, the pressure mounted on England.
The situation became critical when Chloe Kelly, who had played a pivotal role in England’s comeback during regular time, stepped up to take her shot. Her successful penalty tied the shootout at 2-2, setting the stage for a surprising twist as Falk prepared to take Sweden’s next kick. In an unexpected turn, Falk missed her attempt, sending the ball high over the bar.
As the shootout continued into sudden death, both teams struggled to find their rhythm. Grace Clinton‘s weak effort was saved by Falk, but Sweden again failed to take advantage when Hampton stopped Sofia Jakobsson‘s penalty.
The decisive moment came when veteran defender Lucy Bronze struck a powerful penalty down the middle, clocking in at 102.51 km/h, the third-fastest penalty of the tournament. This put England ahead 3-2, leaving Smilla Holmberg with the formidable task of scoring to keep Sweden in the contest. Unfortunately for Sweden, Holmberg also missed, sending the ball soaring over the bar and sealing England’s victory.
In total, there were nine missed penalties throughout the shootout, resulting in a combined conversion rate of just 36%, the lowest in UEFA Women’s Euro history. Falk’s performance set a record for the most saves in a shootout, with four, yet her team still fell short.
This extraordinary match not only showcased the resilience and skill of the English team but also highlighted the unpredictability of football at its highest level. England will now advance to face Italy in the semifinals, aiming to continue their pursuit of the championship title in Euro 2025.
