However, not everything was to England’s liking, as Sarina Wiegman’s side came under heavy pressure in the first half from a world-class Sweden side.
But Lauren Hemp’s clever turn and finish after the half-hour mark calmed England’s obvious nerves and from then on there seemed to be only one winner.
A header by Lucy Bronze from a corner early in the second half and then an impressive heeled goal from substitute Alessia Russo sent the 28,624 fans inside Bramall Lane into ecstasy, before Fran Kirby’s lob added sparkle to a already remarkable marker.
Sweden, after all, have reached the final in the previous two World Cups and are currently ranked second in the world, with England only registering three wins over Sweden in their entire history.
In what has already been a tournament record for attendance and viewing figures, Tuesday’s match set a new attendance record for a Euros semi-final.
After defeats in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup, Euro 2017, England will now finally face either Germany or France at Wembley Stadium on July 31.
“We found a way. The players in the game found a way to get out of their pressure. I’m incredibly proud of them.”
slow starters
The nerves that were evident for much of the quarter-final against Spain showed again in the opening stages against Sweden.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps sprang into action in the first minute, blocking Sofia Jakobsson’s effort after Georgia Stanway was caught in midfield.
Another clever save from the Earps once again kept the scores level just a few minutes later, this time tapping Stina Blackstenius’s misplaced effort around the post. From the resulting corner, Sweden had her best chance yet, as Blackstenius this time beat Earps, but his header could only find the crossbar.
With England looking to dominate possession, Sweden posed a real threat on the counterattack. The attacking trio of Blackstenius, Kosovare Asllani and Fridolina Rolfo, in particular, were giving the England defenders nightmares, yanking them back and forth with their cross-court runs.
Within half an hour, England had barely registered a chance worth mentioning. In fact, the highlight of the Lionesses’ opening 30 minutes was an impressive sliding tackle from Kirby, who had moved back the length of the pitch to deny Sweden a clear scoring opportunity.
England coach Wiegman once again named the same starting XI as she had for the first four games of Euro 2022, unfazed by the somewhat toothless display for much of the quarter-final against Spain.
It took all of Wiegman’s tactical notion to turn the game around with substitutions, but his faithful leading scorer, Mead, made sure it wasn’t necessary this time.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, England found the breakthrough seemingly out of nowhere. After Lauren Hemp’s cross into the box missed Ellen White’s boot by an inch, Bronze did well to keep the ball in play and return it to the penalty area.
Mead took a bunt, spun and drilled the ball into the far corner to send the Bramall Lane crowd into a frenzy. It was a marvelous goal, perhaps the best of the tournament so far, and put her in first place in the Golden Boot race with six goals.
He also equaled the most goals scored in a single European Championship, equaling Inka Grings tally from Finland 2009.
More importantly, however, he eventually calmed England’s nerves and, for the first time in the match, Wiegman’s side began to dominate. Kirby and Stanway had chances, but neither could test Rut Hedvig Lindahl in Sweden’s goal from distance.
When the half-time whistle blew, it was Sweden that were relieved to hear it and England were now just 45 minutes from the final.
relentless lionesses
The second half started the same way and England immediately had their opponent on the back foot once more.
Hemp was back on the left causing all sorts of problems for Sweden and Manchester City winger’s cross to Mead was blocked from behind by a Swedish boot. However, a massive header from Lucy Bronze from the resulting corner snuck over the far post and put England in complete control of this semi-final.
Russo has been England’s super substitute in this tournament, registering three goals off the bench so far. When he came on before the hour mark against Sweden, his impact was immediate, as a run and low cross found Hemp at the far post.
But with the goal open, the winger could only deflect a shot off the crossbar.
Sweden had a wonderful opportunity to cut half the deficit, but Earps’ fingertip save at full extension denied Blackstenius a goal.
However, with just over 20 minutes remaining, the match ended as a competition for a moment of genius from Russo. After his initial effort, which he should have scored, was blocked by Lindahl, Russo improvised with a backheel that caught the Swedish goalkeeper completely off guard as she slipped between her legs.
It was a piece of magic that encapsulated the best of this England team as it began to dismantle one of the best teams in the world.
Kirby soon added the icing on the cake with just over 15 minutes to go, lobbing the ball from range over Lindahl. The Swedish goalkeeper should have done better, but she let the ball slip through her hands and capped off a night she will quickly want to forget.
The win continues Wiegman’s remarkable personal record of never having lost a game at a European Championship. Everyone in England hopes the streak will continue for just one more game.