England reach Euro 2022 final after Lionesses thrash Sweden 4-0
England produced an electrifying performance to see off Sweden and book a place in the Euro 2022 final.
The Lionesses weathered an early first-half storm at Bramall Lane in Sheffield before bursting into life after the break to record a first major final since 2009.
Goals from Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby sent the packed crowd into raptures and secured a place at Wembley at the expense of the shell-shocked Swedes.
It ended a decade-long run of defeats in the final four of major tournaments, including Euro 2013 and the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
Sarina Wiegmann’s side, who have already won all five of their games at the tournament, conceding just one goal in the process and scoring 20, will now play either France or Germany in Sunday’s showpiece.
Follow all the reactions from a magical night at Bramall Lane:
Euro 2022: England vs Sweden
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England qualified for the Euro 2022 final with a win over Sweden
Everywhere you look the story is against England. Take your pick: their record is to win just a handful of their many previous meetings with Sweden; the fact that their semi-final opponents were the highest-ranked team at this European Women’s Championship and unbeaten in 90 minutes since 2019; or, perhaps most relevant of all, the Lionesses’ three consecutive semi-final losses at their last three major international tournaments. The record books provided little consolation.
Yet, as Sarina Wiegmann insisted throughout this tournament, history counts for nothing. The Lionesses are one game away from winning their first major tournament after booking their place in Sunday’s Wembley final in emphatic style. Four unanswered goals – the third a truly sensational strike from Alessia Russo – put world-class opposition to the sword at Bramall Lane and ensured the Lionesses progressed into their biggest game for around 13 years with all the momentum they needed.
Read Mark Critchley’s report on a magical night in Sheffield:
England qualified for the Euro 2022 final with a win over Sweden
England 4-0 Sweden: The Lionesses weathered an early storm before bursting into life to record a first finals berth at a major tournament since 2009.
Ben Burroughs July 27, 2022 1:00 am
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Wiegmann is glad that England have found a way
It wasn’t the quick start England wanted, but they certainly showed resilience before bursting into life later in the game.
“The first half we struggled, but the second half we played a lot better,” Wiegman said afterward.
“This result will travel all over Europe and the world. It was such a performance that tomorrow everyone will be talking about us.
“I think we showed that we are very resilient. I don’t think we started the game well, but we still found a way.”
“We’re going to celebrate a bit now, but like I said before, we’ve come a long way and we don’t want to take that away.”
Ben Burroughs July 27, 2022 12:39 am
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Mead is happy to help the team again
Beth Meade has made it six goals from five games so far at Euro 2022 with tonight’s opener.
“I think at the end of the match we didn’t know what to do. It was an amazing atmosphere and we are happy to be in the final.”
On the significance of scoring the first goal, she added: “I enjoyed it. I think it came at a good time as there was a lot of pressure on us as they created a lot of chances and I’m just happy to help the team again.”
(PA cable)
Ben Burroughs July 27, 2022 12:20 am
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‘Is this real?’ The pundits’ rapturous reactions to England reaching the Euro 2022 final
Former England international Alex Scott was full of praise for the women’s national team as they beat Sweden 4-0 at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night to book their place in the Euro 2022 final.
The Lionesses emerged from a two-way first half to totally dominate after the break and cruise through their semi-final clash, with scenes at the end of the match seeing both fans and players celebrating with songs and the latter dancing in step.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the final whistle, Scott also spoke of the huge moment in reaching the biggest stage, while Ian Wright called for the momentum to be maintained to ensure the team’s successes so far can create a lasting “legacy”.
But at the moment, the resilience and resilience of Sarina Wiegmann’s side must be applauded, Scott said, after they put in a very different performance to what was needed to see off Spain in the last round.
“Is this real? What England have shown during this tournament, which is an absolute credit to them, is all sides [of the game],” she said.
“You’ve seen them upset in their first game, you’ve seen them blow Norway away, you’ve seen them on the ropes against Spain and today a clean and smart England find a way to get back into the game and wipe out Sweden.
“Every single England game there are different players stepping up.”
‘Is this real?’ The pundits’ rapturous reactions to England reaching the Euro 2022 final
The Lionesses beat Sweden in Sheffield and will face either France or Germany on Sunday
Ben Burroughs July 26, 2022 11:59 pm
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“Football is coming home” is played amid emotional scenes after England’s victory
England’s 4-0 thrashing of Sweden at Bramall Lane was greeted with tears, cheers and chants of “football is coming home” in Sheffield city centre.
Up to 2,000 fans packed into the town’s Devonshire Green to watch the goal tally on a giant screen.
Jamie Ferreday, 27, from Chesterfield, said: “I think it’s England’s best win in a century to be honest.
“I think he’s really coming home. We beat Sweden – the best team in the tournament. Who should we fear now?
“I didn’t think it would be this good. England usually make us sweat.”
“Football is coming home” is played amid emotional scenes after England’s victory
Up to 2,000 fans gathered at Devonshire Green in Sheffield to watch the goal tally on a giant screen.
Ben Burroughs July 26, 2022 11:33 pm
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The untamable lionesses: How England reached the Euro 2022 final
England reached the Euro 2022 final after beating Sweden 4-0 at Bramall Lane in the last four.
After a shaky start for the Lionesses, which saw Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius hit the post, Beth Mead, already leading the race for the Golden Boot, put Sarina Wiegman’s side ahead with a 34th-minute strike to take her six goals for the tournament.
Meade then turned provider at the start of the second half, taking a corner which was headed in by Lucy Bronze, before substitute Alessia Russo scored her fourth goal of these finals with a delightful backhand strike in the 68th minute.
Fran Kirby added a fourth with a chip eight minutes later and it could have been even better for England with Lauren Hamp rattling the frame to make it 2-0 as they narrowly avoided another semi-final upset after crashing out at this stage of their last three major tournaments.
Here we look back at England’s road to the final.
The untamable lionesses: How England reached the Euro 2022 final
England defeated Sweden in the semi-finals to reach Sunday’s show at Wembley
Ben Burroughs July 26, 2022 11:15 pm
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Ian Wright wants to see a lasting legacy from England’s run to the Euro 2022 final
English football has been urged to ensure that the host nation’s bid for the Euro 2022 final results in a lasting legacy.
Sarina Wiegmann’s side thrashed Sweden 4-0 in the first semi-final at Bramall Lane to book their place in Sunday’s Wembley showpiece against either France or Germany.
Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby found the net to make Ian Wright feel “as proud as I’ve ever felt of any England team”.
But he had a warning for those running the game, telling the BBC: “Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football in their PE, just like boys can, what are we doing?
“We have to make sure they can play and get the opportunity to do so.
“If it doesn’t have a legacy – like with the Olympics – then what do we do, because this is as proud as I’ve ever felt of any England team.”
Ian Wright wants to see a lasting legacy from England’s run to the Euro 2022 final
“Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football in their PE, just like boys, what are we doing?”
Ben Burroughs July 26, 2022 10:53 pm
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England qualified for the Euro 2022 final with a win over Sweden
Everywhere you look the story is against England.
Take your pick: their record is to win just a handful of their many previous meetings with Sweden; the fact that their semi-final opponents were the highest-ranked team at this European Women’s Championship and unbeaten in 90 minutes since 2019; or, perhaps most relevant of all, the Lionesses’ three consecutive semi-final losses at their last three major international tournaments.
The record books provided little consolation.
Yet, as Sarina Wiegmann insisted throughout this tournament, history counts for nothing. The Lionesses are one game away from winning their first major tournament after booking their place in Sunday’s Wembley final in emphatic style.
Four unanswered goals – the third a truly sensational strike from Alessia Russo – put world-class opposition to the sword at Bramall Lane and ensured the Lionesses progressed into their biggest game for around 13 years with all the momentum they needed.
England qualified for the Euro 2022 final with a win over Sweden
England 4-0 Sweden: The Lionesses weathered an early storm before bursting into life to record a first finals berth at a major tournament since 2009.
Michael Jones July 26, 2022 10:30 pm
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Sarina Wiegmann awarded for confidence and team consistency as England seal Euro 2022 final place
After one of the hardest nights in…
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