Ellen White
Former England striker and Euro 2022 winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

England will be full of confidence and excited to reach the quarter-finals. Whoever they were going to face - whether it was Germany or Sweden - it was always going to be tough, but I do feel like we have faced Sweden a number of times.

Everyone will remember that we beat them in the Euro 2022 semi-final 4-0. England have drawn with them recently as well.

It is going to be a really tough ask though because Sweden look very good. They beat Germany convincingly in their last group game, so I'm a little bit terrified but I'm really excited at the same time.

I think there's going to be a lot of goals, hopefully for England.

Emma Hayes
USA manager on ITV

Sweden are one of the best counter-attacking teams. We have seen France cause problems and Wales cause problems.

If England aren't set up properly, Sweden will cause them a lot of problems.

Fran Kirby
Former England international and Euro 2022 winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Sweden have such an experienced squad now. We played them in the semi-final in Euro 2022 and they are a team that have started the tournament very brightly. That will be something England need to look into.

When the groups were drawn, everyone was talking about Germany but Sweden have just blown it all away in the group stage, so I think it's going to be a really interesting game.

England will take confidence from their last two performances into the game, but they will have to be very wary of what their opponents' threats are.

Karen Bardsley
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

I feel confident. I believe in the Lionesses. I think they can win. It is going to be a significantly different order.

Sweden have got quick wingers, a really talented experienced midfield and threats in-behind.

Those are several things that England have struggled with, as France kindly pointed out to everyone.

England

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England goalscorer Beth Mead speaking to BBC Sport: "I mean I think you've seen [that we enjoyed it] in the performance. I think a very different type of team that we played against but obviously we broke down the low block and got our reward of goals.

"We said that you don't win or loose a tournament in the first game. We are a very motivated team and we enjoy being under pressure, you can tell that in the last two games when we've needed to win. We're building into this tournament, I think we've put ourselves in a really good position and I hope we can keep building from there.

"I think you've seen a lot of good moments but I think we've still got another gear to go up and hopefully we can continue that momentum into the rest of the games."

On how to stop Arsenal teammate Stina Blackstenius in the quarter-final: "I mean Stina's top talent, a very powerful quick player. Basically we just don't want to give her time or space on the ball but we'll do our best to nullify Sweden's threats."

Image source, BBC Sport

As Toni says, England avoid both Spain and Germany on their pathway to the final.

If the Lionesses are to beat Sweden they will face either Norway or Italy in the semi-finals.

On the other side of the draw Spain take on Switzerland and Germany face France.

Toni Duggan
Former Everton and England forward on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is most definitely better, the team finishing second.

Avoiding Spain and Germany - but Sweden also look strong, so it is going to be an interesting game.

Steph Houghton
Former England captain on the Football Daily podcast

This tournament is wide open once it gets to the knockouts.

Spain have scored goals but they are vulnerable at the back. Sweden look strong but do they have the X-Factor to go and win compared to England?

Image source, Getty Images

It's Sweden up next for the Lionesses on Thursday (20:00 BST) in Zurich. They finished top of Group C after beating Germany 4-1.

The Lionesses saw them off in the semi-finals at Euro 2022. Remember that cheeky Alessia Russo backheel? That was one of the four goals England put past the Swedes at Bramall Lane.

They also met in Euro 2025 qualifying with Sweden holding England to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Wembley in April 2024, followed by a goalless draw three months later.

It hasn't been the smoothest of group stage campaigns for England. They were under pressure after losing 2-1 to France in the opening game.

Their response to that defeat has been impressive. 4-0 against the Netherlands and 6-1 against Wales - ten goals scored across those two games.

The six against Wales came from six different sources:

• Georgia Stanway
• Ella Toone
• Lauren Hemp
• Alessia Russo
• Beth Mead
• Aggie Beaver-Jones

Karen Bardsley
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think we learned England can score goals. There is depth on the bench and they can come on and make a difference.

What I have been impressed with is generally their fluidity of the rotations from the entirety of the team.

The Lionesses are through to the quarter-finals but do they have what it takes to go all the way once again?

Are they showing they are capable? How will they fare against Sweden?

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England

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England boss Sarina Wiegman speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Very happy. Of course, a tough Wales who wanted to fight, but I think we found a way to go around it. I'm really happy we are through. It was a very hard group.

"Losing the first game there is so much urgency to win against the Netherlands and do well against Wales. The team just showed up today."

On having different players scoring: "It is really good to see that we created so many chances. You can see the connections.

"It is nice to see more players who can score goals and that they keep doing things together. This is an intense tournament, and we played a top-level game straight away.

"Of course, you want to win the game and think of who's next. When it is necessary, the players are ready to step in and step up for the team."

On Sweden: "I was thinking we just want to get through. Of course, I knew the score. The next one is Sweden. We know each other very well. A team that is really together. It is going to be another great one."

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

The experience Wales will get from the last couple of weeks will push this team onto bigger and better things.

They will learn from this. It is amazing that they are here. The fans have been amazing.

We have had some brilliant moments. Jess Fishlock got her first goal and the Hannah Cain goal there.

It would have been nice to get a point, but it was always going to be difficult for us.

Yes, the team will have wanted to perform better, but there is a bigger picture to it.

Wales

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Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson told ITV: "It is a hard one. We know this was not our game and we were outplayed and I was outcoached. It's a moment when you know you will take a lot from it. I wouldn't want to stand with any other team. There is a gap between us and the top teams, and that's my job, to try and close that gap.

"I just want to thank the support. It was a tough game to stay loud and they did. We know we have got some work to do and this is not a team that is ready for tournament football too. I have got to be sharper too.

"Grow and learn, that is what we have got to do. I am glad we got the goal and we know we will put our heads down and continue working."

England

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Ella Toone, one of the six Lionesses on the scoresheet against Wales says that England have shown what they're all about in their last two games.

She told BBC Sport: "We've definitely really hit our rhythm. I think it wasn't the way we wanted to start the tournament but it's a bit of a rocket and we've shown in these last couple of games that this is how we play.

"We have that belief in the squad. We have a lot of talent and we can play against a team who do a bit of everything. We broke down a really deep block tonight and yeah I think we're really positive.

"No matter who steps in front of us, we'll want to go out there and give 100%."

She was also asked whether they wanted to face Sweden in the quarter-finals: "Obviously both teams [Sweden and Germany] are going to be difficult no matter what.

"We watched the game the other night and Sweden are a really good counter attacking team but no matter who we play against we know that we have to be on our game, we have to believe in ourselves.

"I think if we continue in this form that we're showing at the minute and have that confidence then I think whoever we play against will be scared."

France topped Group D after three wins from three and will meet Germany in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

England finished runners up and will face Group C winners Sweden on Thursday.

The Netherlands and Wales are both eliminated.

Image source, BBC Sport