Sweden vs Belgium LIVE: Result and reaction as Sweden dramatically set up semi-final against England
Reaction as last-gasp Linda Sembrant goal books Sweden a semi-final against England on Tuesday
Defender Linda Sembrant fired a stoppage-time winner to give Sweden a 1-0 win over Belgium and set up a Euro 2022 semi-final against hosts England next Tuesday.
The Swedes kept Belgium pinned back for most of the first half and should have taken the lead when Stina Blackstenius slotted the ball home in the 25th minute. However, a VAR review showed that she was just offside when Kosovare Asllani passed her the ball and the goal was chalked off.
The second half was almost identical with the Swedes pouring forward and the Belgium defence standing resolute, and goalkeeper Nicky Evrard pulled off a brilliant reflex save to deny Blackstenius in the 73rd minute.
The game looked to be heading for extra time when the Swedes won a corner in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, and Sembrant reacted quickest to rifle the ball home to send the Swedes through to the last four.
Follow all the reaction from the Euro 2022 quarter-final as Sweden join England and Germany in the next round:
‘Well-coached’ Belgium could cause upset
Swedish defender, Magdalena Eriksson says that Belgium have a ‘clear ethos’ and are ‘well-coached’ which could cause some problems this evening if they are underestimated.
“Belgium seem like a very well-coached team.” she said, “They played like a team and through every third of the pitch you can see they have a clear ethos.
“Even when they played Italy, who were higher-ranked, you could see that they had their idea and they went with it. They really look like a strong group.”
Swedish fans arrive at Leigh Sports Village
I think the Sweden supporters might be up for this one tonight.
Belgium’s Euros history
Belgium made their major tournament debut at Euro 2017, finishing third in Group A behind eventual winners the Netherlands and Denmark, who would also reach the final. The Red Flames’ sole win came on Matchday 2, with Ives Serneels’ side earning a 2-0 success against Norway in Breda.
The Red Flames secured their place at only their second Euros by winning Group H in qualifying thanks to seven victories in their eight matches. The exception was a 2-1 loss to eventual runners-up Switzerland in Thun in September 2020.
Belgium have advanced to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in their history, overtaking Iceland to take second place in Group D on Matchday 3 courtesy of a 1-0 win against Italy.
The Red Flames had drawn 1-1 with Iceland in their group opener before a 2-1 defeat to section winners France.
Sweden vs Belgium: Line-ups
Sweden XI: Lindahl, Ilestedt, Sembrant, Nilden, Eriksson, Angeldal, Asllani, Bjorn, Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Rolfo
Belgium XI: Evrard, Deloose, Kees, De Neve, Philtjens, Biesmans, Vanhaevermaet, Minnaert, Cayman, De Caigny, Wullaert
Sweden’s Euros history
Sweden are searching for a first continental title since 1984 and will take on Belgium for the first time at a major tournament in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Euro 2022.
They topped Group C with seven points, finishing first on goal difference ahead of the Netherlands. The Blågult recorded victories over Switzerland (2-1) and Portugal (5-0) after 1-1 a Matchday 1 draw with the Oranje.
Sweden’s qualification ensured they have reached at least the last eight of this tournament in all 11 of their appearances, and have won their group four times.
The Swedish team talk Belgium
Belgium are into the knockout stages of the Women’s European Championship for the first time in only their second appearance at the tournament but they face a difficult match against Sweden to progress.
"Their result against France was very impressive," Sweden midfielder Nathalie Bjorn said. "We have had trouble in the past unlocking defences that play deep so we’re going to have to see how the game develops. It’s a tough team to face and they’re very compact."
Sweden assistant coach, Magnus Wikman, added: “Belgium are relatively good at everything and maybe that will mean this match has more flow than our previous ones.”
Germany reach Euro 2022 semi-finals with hard-fought win over plucky Austria
England were the first side to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2022 after they snuck past Spain in extra-time on Wednesday night before they were joined last night by Germany.
At the end of a fierce and brutal contest, Alexandra Popp typified Germany’s fight. The striker’s goal to seal her country’s 2-0 win over Austria will not make any highlight reels at the end of Euro 2022, but her perseverance in charging down goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger represents the sort of relentless, suffocating power that could carry Germany to yet another European title this summer.
Germany rode their luck at times – with Austria hitting the post twice as well as the crossbar – and faced spells of significant pressure in Brentford.
Their response was unwavering and controlled, strangling any last fight out of Austria to advance to the semi-finals. Quite simply, after failing to reach this stage last time out, the eight-time champions are back to where they expect to be.
Germany reach Euro 2022 semi-finals with hard-fought win over plucky Austria
Germany 2-0 Austria: The underdogs struck the woodwork three times but Lina Magull’s first-half goal and Alexandra Popp’s late second proved enough
‘We have reached our goal but will go for it against Sweden’ says Wullaert
This has already been a good tournament for Belgium whose goal before the start of Euro 2022 was to reach the knockout stages and make it out of a group containing, Iceland, Italy and France.
They achieved their aim on the final matchday of the group stages and forward Tessa Wullaert says that the Red Flames will do their best to get further into the competition.
“We have reached our goal, but we will go for it 100% against Sweden.” sahe said, “We have had one day less than Sweden day to recover, so it is important to rest well.
“We don’t have much to lose, but we’re certainly not going to make it easy for them. We have to prove to ourselves what we can do. We’ll see where that takes us.”
Early team news for Belgium
Amber Tysiak will return - likely to the substitutes’ bench - after serving a one-match suspension.
The Red Flames may name an unchanged line-up, which would see Hannah Eurlings continue up front after making her first start of the tournament in the win over Italy.
How can I watch?
The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Friday 22nd July at Leigh Sports Village.
It will be shown live on BBC Two, with coverage starting from 7:30pm and can also be viewed on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
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