England

England defender Lucy Bronze on scoring in the game and in the shoot-out:

"Scoring in the game, I was ecstatic. I think that's something I know I can bring to this team; I can always bring energy when we may be lacking. I don't know about penalties - I've never taken a penalty for England [before], but I know that I'm confident in my ability and in Hannah [Hampton] as our goalkeeper, so I knew I had to step up to take one for the team.

"This England team, as long as I've been playing, we've always got to the semi-finals, so we couldn't let ourselves down by not getting there."

Karen Bardsley
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

That was amazing.

Honestly that was incredible, such tension. The way the game went, the substitutions, the doubt, the game plan. So much drama.

The saves from Hampton and the authority from Bronze. What a fantastic game and what character England showed. Such self-belief to bring them back into the game.

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport

Is anybody else following from the sea or any other cool, far away place?

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport

Thanks both.

Martin, look, I'm sorry but for the good of the nation it's best you don't watch England vs Italy. It sounds like you're cursed. We'll be guaranteed to win if you're not following.

Also, you're in the north sea on a boat?! What's the story behind that? How are you getting a phone signal?

England

Image source, Getty Images

England defender and stalwart Lucy Bronze speaking to womenseuro.com:

"It's just so overwhelming. Sweden were unbelievable - both teams deserve to go through, if I'm being honest. We didn't start particularly well; they were really strong in the game, but to finish the way we did in a penalty shoot-out, when it's sudden death - what a way to win a game.

"That's what this tournament is about - two teams going head to head and then going right to the wire.

Fran Kirby
England forward on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

Image source, Getty Images

There has to be more composure when you step in and take a penalty. The girls obviously looked extremely stressed which is completely understandable. But for me, having the chance to win the penalty shootout, three or four times for Sweden, for me, you have to have a little bit more composure in them moments.

It looked like everyone was trying to score the perfect penalty whereas you look at Lucy Bronze just smash it down the middle. I felt the other girls looked like they hadn’t made their mind up on what they wanted to do.

(Sweden) Some of the decisions, sending an 18 year old to take a penalty when you’ve got senior players, the goalkeeper taking the fifth… it was difficult to see what the ideas were but obviously I’m happy about that.

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport

Thanks Thomas, Michelle and DC. I think I saw a stat somewhere saying Lucy Bronze has scored in four major tournaments for England.

The ultimate big-game player.

Halfway through Hannah Hampton's press conference - this was at about 1am in the morning - she was interrupted by a phone call.

It was her mates calling up to congratulate her.

Image source, Getty Images

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC One

On Hannah Hampton:

The first penalty that came up against her, she's given her team the advantage. This was a great save, put England in a good position. Russo scores the first penalty and we're in a good position.

And when we were up against it, she made the saves we needed. She held herself big.

Fran Kirby
England forward on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

Image source, Getty Images

It was crazy. Being able to get to the semi-final the way they did is pretty special.

2-0 is always a difficult scoreline to go with and Hannah Hampton making the save just before half time really kept England in the game.

Once I saw those subs, I thought England definitely had a chance to get that goal.

• England became the first ever team to progress from a knockout tie at a women's Euros having trailed by two or more goals.
• The Lionesses have scored three goals via substitutes in Euro 2025, more than any other team.
• Under Sarina Wiegman, England have won all three of their penalty shootouts. They lost each of their previous four.

England

Image source, Getty Images

England heroine Hannah Hampton reflected on the emotional rollercoaster of the match:

"We are very happy and you can see all the celebrations going around with the fans, and they were behind us the whole game, even when we were 2-0 down. They knew that we could bring this back, and you don't ever write us off.

"It was stressful watching, it was stressful playing. I was hoping that every single time I saved one, someone from our team would score just so that we have a bit of a cushion. Just happy and relieved."

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport

"It was such a wonderful dream. Sofia Jakobsson would have won it if she scored, but Hannah Hampton stepped to her right and tipped her penalty on to the post."

"Colin, that wasn't a dream. It really happened."