They are only one step away from fulfilling their dream. In a white-hot Bramall Lane, England largely dominated Sweden (4-0)Tuesday July 26 in Sheffield, in the semi-final of the 2022 European Women’s Championship. In front of their public, the forwards of the Three lionessescarried by the competition’s top scorer, Beth Mead, put the Swedish defense through hell.
Goals from Mead, Bronze, Russo and Kirby send #ENG through to the final of #WEURO2022
Who will they face in the final?
— UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 26, 2022
With this new success, the English continue to impress. Sarina’s Proteges Wiegman sent a strong message to their future opponent. Germany and France meet on Wednesday in the other semi-final.
Best attack in the competition (20 goals in five games), eleventh consecutive success… The numbers make you dizzy. However, despite this score, the meeting was not a walk in the park for England. The Swedes were even the first to create an opportunity, touching the crossbar in the 8th minute. The pressure was readable on the faces of the English, physically jostled by more realistic Swedes.
But England, intoxicated by the fervor of the 28,624 supporters of the setting of Sheffield, did everything to pack the game. Deliverance came from Beth Mead, the best player in the competition. Ideally placed in the penalty area, the number 7 received a center back before continuing with an unstoppable half-volley in pivot. His sixth goal in this European campaign. No player had done better before.
6 – No player has scored more goals in a single EURO than Beth Mead in 2022 (6 goals – tied with Inka Grings in 2009). Great. #ENGSWE #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/UoD0A3co7E
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) July 26, 2022
Freed, the English were finally able to play their usual game, particularly animated by the wings and chain the goals. Former Lyonnais Lucy Bronze planted the second banderilla at the start of the second half before Alessia Russo signed the goal of the competition with a subtle backheel, after having stumbled for the first time on the opposing door.
Chelsea playmaker Fran Kirby finished the job with a long shot, helped by Hedvig Lindahl’s handball. Overwhelmed by the intensity of their opponents, the Swedes were never able to resume the course of their match. Twice finalist of the Euro, England returns to this stage of the competition for the first time since 2009. At home, against France or Germany, it will be difficult to dislodge these Three Lionesses.