The Lionesses look to move a step closer to winning their first ever major tournament as they face Sweden tonight at Bramall Lane in the Euro 2022 semi-finals. England were taken to extra-time but found a way to battle past Spain in the last eight thanks to a sensational winner from Georgia Stanway.
It’s 13 years since England last made it to the Euros final and with a Wembley date waiting for the winner, there is certainly no lack of motivation for a side that will be roared on by a partisan crowd. Sarina Wiegman has named an unchanged side for the fifth match in a row.
The task is a difficult one though, against the highest-ranked side still left in the competition. However, aside from a dominant victory over Portugal in the final group-stage match, it has not been entirely convincing from Sweden who needed a 92nd-minute winner to beat Belgium in the quarter-finals with what was their 33rd shot of the match. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Live updates
HT: England 1-0 Sweden
About two seconds of added time and that will be half-time.
England 45 minutes away from the Euro 2022 final, after Beth Mead’s strike. Open game though and Sweden will still feel they’re right in it.
43 mins: England with a sustained spell of possession, happy to take the sting out of things and try and see this through to half-time.
Sweden win it back, Asllani somehow holds the ball up and keeps possession. Her low cross is mopped up by Daly though.
40 mins: Stanway continues to operate a policy of shooting on sight, buoyed by her effort against Spain. Can’t really blame her but it’s not coming off tonight… yet.
Earps with a very composed pass out to Bright, who takes no chances and boots it up the pitch. Wise decision.
37 mins: Almost two! England are on the charge.
Ball played through to Stanway, looks to square it for White but it’s just about cleared away. Stanway clips it back in, Lindahl off her line to claim.
Simon Collings at Bramall Lane
What did Ian Wright call Beth Mead, “a goalscoring monster”?
GOAL! England 1-0 Sweden | Beth Mead 34′
MEAD DOES IT AGAIN FOR ENGLAND!
Her sixth goal of the tournament and the Lionesses take the lead!
Hemp’s cross runs through to Bronze, who puts it back into the box. Mead controls it and then fires into the far corner, superb finish.
32 mins: Heavy challenge from Mead and she then slides in to try and keep the ball in play, but can’t do so.
Then it’s White’s turn to fly back, trying to make up for losing the ball. Gives away the free-kick to Sweden in a dangerous position.
29 mins: Good again from Hemp, direct running as she drives into the box and wins a corner for England.
Mead over to take, Bronze heads it back across goal but nobody is following in at the back post.
England need more composure
“Lauren Hemp is catching the eye but Ellen White and Georgia Stanway have both snatched at passes from the winger, leading to tame shots,” writes Dan Kilpatrick.
“England lacking a bit of composure so far in the final third.”
26 mins: Bit of a quieter spell in the match, after the chaotic opening. Not quite so much space on offer.
Daly’s place at left-back was in doubt coming into the match but she’s been confident in everything she’s done so far.
