Sweden Strike Late To Set Up England Euro 2022 Semi-Final

Linda Sembrant's stoppage time winner broke Belgian hearts as Sweden won 1-0 in Leigh on Friday to set up a Euro 2022 semi-final with hosts England. The Olympic silver medallists were strong favourites to progress against a Belgian side playing in their first ever knockout game at a major women's tournament. However, the number two ranked side in the world were frustrated by Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, poor finishing and a controversial VAR review for 92 minutes until Sembrant made the breakthrough.

"I think it's a game where we were in control," said Sembrant.

"They made it really hard because they made it very tight in front of the goal, but in the end we got that goal that we needed."

Sweden's preparations had been hit by a trio of positive coronavirus cases for Jonna Andersson, Hanna Glas and Emma Kullberg.

But they still dominated from start to finish with 34 attempts to Belgium's three.

The Belgians had surpassed expectations just by making it through the group stages for the first time in only their second major tournament in the women's game.

"We were the underdogs from the beginning but we did really well as a team," said the Red Flames' captain Tessa Wullaert.

"That's what I want to remember from this tournament."

Filippa Angeldal forced Evrard into the first of a series of saves inside the first 10 minutes.

The Manchester City midfielder, who scored twice in Sweden's 5-0 win over Portugal in their final group game, then fired over with a clearer opening from the edge of the box.

Sweden thought they had made the breakthrough on 26 minutes when Stina Blackstenius coolly slotted past Evrard from Kosovare Asllani's through ball.

However, for the third time in the tournament, the Arsenal striker was denied by