England dug deeper than they have all tournament to force extra-time and penalties against Sweden in Zurich before squeaking into the European Championships semi-finals
Sarina Wiegman’s ‘finishers’ played a crucial part in England’s Euro 2022 win, but their contribution against Sweden on Thursday night was just as dramatic. And it shows how the resilience of this squad runs right through the group – from those who played the full 120 minutes to those called into action to change the game.
Few substitute appearances will ever be as decisive as Chloe Kelly’s match-winning arrival in the final at Wembley three years ago, but she ran it close in Zurich. Roughly three minutes passed between Kelly entering the field and England drawing level from 2-0 down, and the Arsenal star had a part in both goals.
Not only that, but her penalty – converted under the most extreme pressure – kept the Lionesses alive before Lucy Bronze eventually stepped up to help end a shoot-out that looked as though it could go on forever.
Kelly wasn’t the only finisher to make a key impact, though. Fellow subs Beth Mead and Michelle Agyemang combined for the equaliser after fine work from Kelly down the left, and extra-time sub Niamh Charles got a key deflection on Lina Hurtig’s header at the death to ensure all that hard work wasn’t for naught.
“What we can control is the team just fighting to get back into the game and that is what you can see,” Wiegman said after the match, adrenaline still running through her veins an hour after her team sealed victory. “I think that’s a quality that is so strong in this team, that togetherness and fighting back. It shows so much resilience.
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“Then we changed it and brought in other players like Michelle, Chloe and they brought different things to the game that really helped the team in that moment. Also, Sweden in that moment, had to adapt to some different things we did and before they could, it was 2-2.
“That is so powerful from this team. That luck as well, yes, at least three times I thought we were out.”
Kelly’s pressure kick kept England alive, but it was one of the starters – right-back Bronze – who scored the decisive kick. “Lucy Bronze is just one of a kind, I have never, ever seen this before in my life,” Wiegman said.
“I’m a very lucky person that I’ve worked with so many incredible people and incredible football players, and there are so, so many, but what she does and her mentality, and how she did that penalty and the goal, at the far post, she gets it in the net. But that’s not what defines her. What defines her is that resilience, that fight. I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.”
Wiegman spoke ahead of the match about the Lionesses practicing penalties, while Sweden boss Peter Gerhardsson said his side hadn’t done the same. And Wiegman’s comments were reinforced by captain Leah Williamson – despite Sweden keeper Jennifer Falk keeping out four of England’s spot-kicks.
“”[We prepared] loads, I know there were a few more misses than normal but everybody does,” Williamson said. “It’s something you have to box off before a tournament. There’s so much science about it nowadays. It’s the easiest and the hardest thing in the world.”
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