Leah Williamson reacts to 'awful' Lionesses shoot-out v Sweden as Sarina Wiegman admits need to 'decompress' after quarter-final drama
Updated 18/07/2025 at 09:40 GMT+1
Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang scored second-half goals to rescue England, who went 2-0 down early on in their UEFA Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden in Zurich. There were no more goals in the tie, so a penalty shoot-out decided who would progress, and after nine dramatic missed penalties from the teams, England eventually progressed 3-2 and will play Italy for a place in the final.
England squad react to 'incredible' shoot-out victory over Sweden - 'I felt sick!'
Video credit: SNTV
England captain Leah Williamson was thrilled by the Lionesses' never-say-die attitude after seeing her side win a dramatic penalty shoot-out and battle their way into the semi-finals of the UEFA European Women’s Championship.
Having gone 2-0 down in the first half against Sweden in Zurich, Sarina Wiegman’s side fought back with goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang to take the tie to extra time.
There were no further goals, so the winner was decided by spot-kicks, in a shoot-out where misses were more common than goals.
Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton all missed their penalties, but with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saving two and Sweden missing the target with a further three, Wiegman’s side progressed 3-2.
Williamson, who went off injured during extra-time, was delighted with the end result but admitted it was a tough watch.
"I just feel really, really proud," Williamson told BBC Sport. "That was awful to watch at the end, but the girls, I just love that we don’t ever give up.
"We’ve said it before, we’re never done. We don’t believe that we’re ever done. The fightback, the quality to turn the game around and then stay in it mentally - just incredible."
Speaking about how much penalty preparation the squad had done for the tournament, Williamson said: "Loads! I know there were a few more misses than normal but everybody does. It’s something you have to box off before a tournament.Â
"There’s so much science behind it nowadays. We know it. It’s the easiest and hardest thing in the world."
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Italy now lie in wait in the semi-finals as England move a step closer to defending the title they won at Wembley in 2022 and Williamson thinks they have the resilience to go all the way.
"We’ve played three finals in a row now, basically, in terms of if you lose, you’re going home," she added.
"We have the belief, we have the proof. It’s just about turning up and doing the job. I’m a happy girl today."
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England players celebrate on a dramatic night in Zurich
Image credit: Getty Images
'I need to decompress' - Wiegman
Manager Sarina Wiegman said she needed to "decompress" after watching her side edge through to the semi-finals with a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out win.
"One of the hardest games I’ve ever watched. Very emotional," she told the BBC afterwards.
"We could’ve been out four or five times. We started really bad in the game. At the end of the first half we got better in the game and the second half we did better but we didn’t create anything, so we had to change shape."
Asked how she was feeling, Wiegman said: "I need to decompress, I think!"
Second-half substitute Michelle Agyemang made an instant impact as she found the net with a priceless equaliser to take the game to extra-time.
The 19-year-old was one of the headline picks from Wiegman ahead of the tournament, with her lack of experience being questioned by some.
"This is basically why we selected her," Wiegman added. "Michelle hasn’t been in our environment for a long period of time but the moment she came in she did really well and she brings something different.
"She’s so strong, and she scores a goal too. She has shown that she can do that."
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton had to step up quickly as Wiegman’s No. 1 following the retirement of Mary Earps before the tournament.
Wiegman was asked if Hampton had answered her doubters with her penalty shoot-out heroics.
"She didn’t have doubters in our bubble," the England manager said. "One penalty, the right side, that was an incredible save. Pretty big contribution today."
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