Sarina Wiegman described England’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Sweden in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals as the most chaotic match she’s ever experienced, praising her side’s “remarkable resilience” after a penalty shootout for the ages.
Trailing late in the match, England looked to be on the brink of elimination until goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang sent the tie into extra time. What followed was a nerve-shredding penalty shootout involving 14 attempts and more misses than makes.
“The adrenaline is still flowing — I can’t remember anything like this,” Wiegman said after the final whistle. “The team just fighting to get back in the game, that’s the quality that’s so strong in this team. They’re together, fighting back, sticking together and just showing so much resilience.”
Wiegman’s substitutions proved crucial, as the introduction of Agyemang, Beth Mead and Esme Morgan in the 70th minute — followed shortly by Chloe Kelly — helped to turn the tide in England’s favour.
“That really helped at that moment,” the coach noted, highlighting the lift in attacking intensity that followed.
The penalty shootout, which ultimately saw England edge out their Scandinavian opponents, was anything but straightforward.
“You miss so many penalties that I was really concerned,” Wiegman admitted. “But then [Sweden] missed again. That needed a little bit of luck. And of course, they then miss and it’s the most horrible way to end — but it made it for us maybe even more exciting.”
One of the game’s standout moments came when Bronze, battling through visible discomfort from a hamstring injury, stepped up to score the decisive penalty.
“Lucy Bronze is just one of a kind,” said Wiegman. “I have never, ever seen this before in my life — and I’m a very lucky person who has worked with so many incredible football players. But what she does and her mentality… what defines you is that resilience, that fight. I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.”
However, the night was not without concern. Captain Leah Williamson limped off with an ankle injury, casting a shadow over England’s semi-final hopes.
“I don’t know what it is right now. She couldn’t stay on the pitch so we had to take her off,” Wiegman said, confirming she would be assessed on Friday.
As for the rest of the squad? “Really tired. People are really tired,” she said with a weary smile — and few could blame them.