Georgia Stanway and England beat Sweden to reach Euro 2025 semi-finals

Georgia Stanway and England are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after the holders claimed a dramatic victory on penalties over a Sweden side including FC Bayern Women teammates Magdalena Eriksson and Julia Zigiotti Olme. The latter went ahead early when Kosovare Asllani took advantage of a misplaced pass out from the back by the Lionesses. Zigiotti then teed up Stina Blackstenius to double the lead after 25 minutes.

Julia Zigiotti Olme came up agonisingly short against England in Zurich. | © Imago

Sweden looked on course for victory and a place in the final four until England struck two goals in as many minutes in the closing stages. Lucy Bronze headed in the first with 79 minutes on the clock before Michelle Agyemang turned in the equaliser from close range after Beth Mead’s blocked effort. With no further goals in the extra 30 minutes, the quarter-final went to penalties. England scored three of their seven attempts to ultimately progress in a thrilling tie. Stanway’s team will now face Italy in the semi-finals after Arianna Caruso’s side beat Tuva Hansen’s Norway.

Sweden 2-2 England (a.e.t. – England win 3-2 on pens)

Goals: 1-0 Asllani (2’), 2-0 Blackstenius (25’), 2-1 Bronze (79’), 2-2 Agyemang (81’)

Penalties: 0-1 Russo, 1-1 Zigiotti Olme, 2-1 Björn, 2-2 Kelly, 2-3 Bronze

FCB players (playing time): Magdalena Eriksson (120 minutes), Julia Zigiotti Olme (120), Georgia Stanway (70)

Caruso’s Italy with last-minute win

Arianna Caruso’s Italy will now meet England in Geneva. | © Imago

Caruso had played the full game the day before as Italy edged Hansen’s Italy with a last-minute winner in the first quarter-final. Bayern’s Italian midfielder was in fact denied a goal by her Munich teammate as it remained level in the first half. Cristiana Girelli finally opened the scoring after the break before Ada Hegerberg squandered a great chance to equalise and also missed a penalty. However, the Lyon striker did finally restore parity after 66 minutes. It was Italy, though, who made one final opportunity count when Girelli struck in the 90th minute to send them through to the final four.

Norway 1-2 Italy

Goals: 0-1 Girelli (50‘), 1-1 Hegerberg (66‘), 1-2 Girelli (90‘)

FCB players (playing time): Tuva Hansen (90 minutes), Arianna Caruso (90)