July 18 – England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton said “proper England is back” after the European champions rallied from behind to eliminate Sweden from the penalty spot in a tense quarter-final.
The 24-year-old England number one has been in the spotlight for weeks after Mary Earps’ shock decision to retire from international football. On Thursday, she proved a hero, repaying the faith of her manager Sarina Wiegman in a dramatic quarter-final that finished with England prevailing in the penalty shootout. Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved four penalties, but missed a spot kick herself; England’s shot stopper saved twice. In total just, five penalties out of fourteen were scored.
“I think it shows that proper England is back,” said Hampton at the post-match news conference. “We’re getting in the right direction. Everyone would be putting their bodies on the line, literally, you can see that out there. Everyone is a bit battered and bruised.”
“You know everyone has got your back out there and tackles were made when they needed to be. Players took it upon themselves to make sure that the team stayed solid throughout so if they had a bit of a niggle they decided to come off for someone else who they knew would be 100 per cent to go and make a difference because it was definitely a fine line between the result today.”
It was hardly a vintage England: the European champions had problems all over the field against a Swedish side that demonstrated great versatility, athleticism and attacking prowess, but the Lionesses simply refused to let go. They never gave up, but clung on and fought their way back. It was triumph of resilience and will. England simply could not be written off. Experienced England manager Wiegman called it a ‘crazy’ game: “I can’t remember anything like this.”
England also relied on their substitutions, with Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang coming off the bench, and a slice of fortune to turn around the match after conceding twice in the first 25 minutes.
“The togetherness and fighting back to get into the game is a real quality of this team; when we’re not playing well, sticking together,” said Wiegman. “They showed so much resilience.
“Changing the picture and bringing other players in, you know that Michelle [Agyemang], Chloe [Kelly] bring different things to the game. That really helped the team in that moment but also, Sweden had to adapt to some different things. Before they had adapted, it was 2-2. That’s so powerful from this team.
“Then there was luck. I thought about three times that we were out.”
Qualification aside, England will take enough positives from their stunning comeback win: they 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. Crucially, under Wiegman, they have never lost a penalty shootout. It’s the sixth major tournament in a row that England have made it to the last four. On Tuesday, they will play Italy in Geneva in the semifinals.
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