England fought back from 2-0 down to level the scores at 2-2 after 90 minutes, and when extra-time brought no more goals, it was time for a shoot-out. England and Sweden took seven penalties, and both sides missed several times, before Lucy Bronze emphatically converted her spot-kick to see England score three penalties to Sweden's two.

The Lionesses were in trouble from the start when Stina Blackstenius pounced on a loose ball out of defence, before setting up Kosovare Asllani to deliver a calm finish, one minute and 44 seconds from the kick-off.

That was the quickest goal England had ever conceded in a European Championship match, and more hesitancy at the back almost let Sweden double their advantage two minutes later.

The opening five minutes were breathless. Lauren Hemp could've issued an immediate response, but lofted her shot onto the crossbar.

Sweden showed all the characteristics they had displayed in the group stages - compact, well-organised and hard-working. The tournament holders were struggling to even get on the ball.

Then, things went from bad to worse for the Lionesses, as another defensive lapse saw Blackstenius one-on-one with Hannah Hampton, and the striker placed the finish into the far-left corner of the net.

Fridalina Rolfo could've put Sweden three goals to the good just before half-time, and would've done so if it hadn't been for a superb stop from the Chelsea goalkeeper.

England came out in the second half looking sharper in attack. Ella Toone had the ball in the back of the net, but her effort was ruled out for offside, and Lauren James played a superb one-two with Alessia Russo to lift an inviting cross over to Hemp, but she could only head wide of the target.

There was always a danger that in attempting to get back into the game, the Lionesses would leave themselves stretched at the back. When Asllani got free from Leah Williamson, it took another top-class save from Hampton to keep the deficit to just two goals.

Sarina Wiegman rolled the dice when she swapped Lauren Hemp for Chloe Kelly. The substitute made an immediate impact, putting a cross into the box for Lucy Bronze to pop up at the far post with her trademark header.

Just 103 seconds passed after England's first goal before another was forged by three of the second-half substitutes. Kelly, determined to make things happen, surged forward down the left-wing again, her cross nodded down by Beth Mead and finished by Michelle Agyemang.

Although the latter stages of the second half had been all England, Sweden almost grabbed themselves a winner when Sweden's Madelen Janogy intercepted a misplaced pass from substitute Esme Morgan. Hampton came up with another big save to keep her out.

At the other end, Agyemang squared the ball across the box for Russo, but her effort was deflected behind. England had taken the game to extra-time with two goals in the last 11 minutes of the game, when hope looked to have evaporated.

The sides cancelled each other out in the first half of extra time. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was brought off at the break, having worked tirelessly down the right-hand side, while Niamh Charles replaced the injured Williamson.

The Blues defender was called into action straight away, as she made a vital header to stop Lina Hurtig from giving Sweden the crucial advantage. England had plenty of battle scars. Hampton had treatment for a bloodied nose after a clash with Alex Greenwood, while Bronze taped up her own thigh.

The experienced defender had worked tirelessly throughout the match, winning the ball back 12 times in total, more than any other player in the tournament so far. The extra 30 minutes passed without incident, and it would come down to penalties.

Russo converted England's first. Then up stepped Filippa Angeldal, and Hannah Hampton saved. Lauren James was England's next penalty taker, and her attempt was also saved by Sweden 'keeper Jennifer Falk. Julia Zigiotti Olme then blasted her spot-kick into the roof of the net to even up the scores.

Beth Mead stepped up, and she too had her shot saved, before Magdalena Eriksson hit the post with her attempt. Alex Greenwood then put her shot straight down the middle for Falk to save yet again, and Chelsea's Nathalie Bjorn then converted her penalty to put Sweden in the driving seat.

Kelly emphatically smashed her effort home, and the decisive penalty fell to Falk, who skied her shot way over the bar. After five penalties each, the scores were level.

Grace Clinton stepped up for the Lionesses, and her rolled attempt was saved by Falk. Hampton tipped Sofia Jakobsson's penalty onto the post, meaning it was 2-2 after six penalties each.

After a calamity of errors, the poise of Lucy Bronze shone through. The Blues star, in her seventh major tournament, emphatically converted her spot-kick. It was now all down to Smilla Holmberg. The 18-year-old put her penalty over the bar and England were through to the semi-final. Just.

Unfortunately, England's win means Chelsea duo Nathalie Bjorn and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd are now heading home from the tournament after some impressive displays.