Lucy Bronze kickstarted England’s fightback against Sweden in the Euro 2025 quarter-final and our defender then netted the crucial spot-kick to ensure the Lionesses advanced to the last four. It was quite an evening for Bronze, who was also singled out for praise by her head coach Sarina Wiegman.
With Sweden 2-0 up and just over ten minutes remaining in Zurich, the full-back stole in at the far post to head home Chloe Kelly’s deep cross. Two minutes later, Michelle Agyemang levelled the scores to take an engrossing contest to extra-time and then a penalty shoot-out.
With both sides having missed four of their first six spot-kicks, Bronze stepped up and smashed her effort into the roof of the net. It was some penalty, and when Sweden’s Smilla Holmberg blazed over, the Lionesses had booked a semi-final meeting with Italy on Tuesday.
‘Sweden were unbelievable,’ Bronze acknowledged.
‘Both teams deserved to go through if I’m being honest. We didn’t start particularly well, they were really strong in the game, but to finish the way we did and a penalty shoot-out going to sudden death – what a way to win a game!
‘That’s what this tournament is about, two top teams going head to head and it going right to the wire. This England team, as long as I've been playing, we've always got to the semi-finals, so we couldn't let ourselves down by not getting there.’
In her post-match media conference, head coach Wiegman reserved special praise for the 33-year-old, who has now accrued a remarkable 138 England caps.
After a game where she constantly won headers, tackles and showed real desire throughout, Bronze was seen applying strapping to her thigh herself during extra-time in a bid to make sure she could stay on the pitch as the Lionesses chased victory.
Bronze won back possession 13 times on the night - five more than anyone else - and no one touched the ball more times than her 114, or intercepted the ball more often.
Lucy's touchmap versus Sweden
‘Lucy Bronze is one of a kind,’ said Wiegman. ‘I have never, ever seen this before in my life, and I’m very lucky person that I’ve worked with so many incredible people, incredible football players, and there are so many, but what she does, and her mentality…
‘That penalty, the goal, but that’s not what defines her. It’s that resilience, that fight. I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.’
Bronze kept going when others may have started to lose hope. She thrives in adversity. As Wiegman alluded to, yesterday’s performance sums her up.
‘I can always bring energy when we may be lacking,’ noted Bronze.
‘That’s something I know I can bring to this team. Scoring in the game, I was ecstatic. I don't know about penalties!
Lucy's heatmap against Sweden highlights how she dominated England's right-hand side
‘I've never taken a penalty for England, but I know that I'm confident in my ability and in Hannah [Hampton] as our goalkeeper, so I knew I had to step up to take one for the team. I never had doubts about where I was going, and I knew Hannah would come up with the goods.’
Two Chelsea players to the fore on the big stage. It’s what we have come to expect. Now Bronze, Hampton and the Lionesses’ journey continues in Geneva on Tuesday.