'Stressful watching, stressful playing': Lionesses beat Sweden on penalties in nail-biting Euro quarter-final

England are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after a tense match with Sweden in Zurich on Thursday.

It was truly a match of two halves, with Sweden leading 2-0 until the last few minutes of normal time.

The Lionesses were able to equalise in the last 11 minutes of the match, which took the game to extra time.

England then won against the Swedish sides on an equally nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

This means they will face Italy on Tuesday 22 July for a chance at the Euro 2025 final.

What happened during the match?

Lucy Bronze brought some hope with a goal in the 79th minute

For England fans, it looked as if everything was over until the very last moments of the game.

Sweden scored their first goal in the first 2 minutes of the game, before following up with their second at the 25 minute mark.

Lucy Bronze restored some hope at 79 minutes, when she headed in Chloe Kelly's cross.

And it was 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang who managed to secure their equaliser just moments later.

The gruelling penalty shootout

The drama wasn't over for the Lionesses – next came the penalty shootout.

At this point, it was nearly midnight in Switzerland, but the energy in the stadium was electric.

England and Sweden appeared evenly matched as it took seven penalties before England finally emerged victorious, 3-2 to Sweden.

So it was a nail-biter to the end, but England have made it through to the semi-finals.

What has the reaction been?

England fans reacting to the penalty shootout from a viewing party in Wembley, London

"I think it was just a rollercoaster, both overwhelming and underwhelming," Lucy Bronze told BBC Sport. "It was just a crazy game".

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton said the game was "stressful watching, stressful playing".

She told BBC Sport: "Every time I saved one I was thinking 'please just put it in so we have a bit of a cushion'. Their keeper then just went and saved the next one and I was thinking 'oh goodness, here we go.'"

Former England captain Steph Houghton remained positive about the Lionesses' chances of defending their Euro title.

"Ultimately, a massive, massive win for England to come back and take it to penalties," she said.

England will now face Italy on Tuesday 22 July for a chance to make it to the Euro 2025 final.