England Women’s captain, Leah Williamson has praised her teammates for their “incredible” comeback to reach UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 semi-finals.
Quick-fire goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang saw England come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Sweden after Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius put the Swedes in front.
Extra time followed with no further goals but Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly’s penalties either side of spot-kicks from Sweden’s Julia Zigiotti Olme and Nathalie Bjorn sent the penalty shootout to sudden death, which was separated by Lucy Bronze’s winner and Smilla Holmberg’s strike over the bar.
Both teams however missed a total of nine penalties between them which left Williamson pleased at the Lionesses’ fighting spirit to salvage victory from the jaws of defeat, as they became the first team to win from 2-0 down at half-time in an UEFA Women’s Euro knockout match.
“That’s what I’m most proud of.
“You hope that you create an environment where everybody is ready and everybody feels valued enough that when it’s their time, they can step up and do their job.
“That’s what you just saw. Everybody covered so much ground, did work for themselves and they can help each other out. I’m so proud of them.”
Williamson however had to be substituted at half time in extra-time due to a minor knock to her ankle and echoed the feeling that many fans around the world felt watching the shootout, but was proud of how her team fought their way through the daunting spot-kicks.
“That was awful to watch at the end but I just love that we never give up. We’ve said it before but we’re never done, we don’t believe that we’re ever done.
“The fightback and the quality to stay in it mentally is just incredible.”
The 28-year-old added that her possible ankle injury wasn’t her main priority such was the tense nature of the match in the closing stages.
“It wasn’t about me and a game like that requires you to be at 100%.
“Nobody can put a foot wrong and it wasn’t the time to be on the pitch.”
Leave a Reply