England beat Sweden on penalties to reach Euro 2025 semis
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ZURICH (Reuters) -As a bloodied Hannah Hampton saved two penalties to send England into the Euro 2025 semi-finals, it was all the more impressive given she was advised at a young age against pursuing football because of an eye condition that affects her depth perception.
With Italy waiting for England if they reach the semi-finals of Euro 2025, BBC Sport looks at how the Azzurre could threaten the Lionesses' quest to retain their title.
With seven places between the two sides in the world rankings, England are definite favourites coming into the match, although Italy do have the advantage of an extra day of rest and winning their quarter-final in normal time.
Raw emotion and a never-say-die attitude came to the fore as the European champions somehow made it into the semi-finals
Bronze, in her seventh major tournament, was exceptional for England as she helped them battle back from 2-0 down to force a penalty shootout. England were staring at an early exit from Euro 2025 with Sweden in control of the game until Wiegman made a flurry of substitutions around the 70-minute mark.
England beat Sweden on penalties in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals; Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton shone in Zurich; Leah Williamson could be an injury doubt for the semi-final against Italy; Michelle Agyemang is proving why she was selected,
In all, 10 of the 23-player squad from Euro 2022 are not in Switzerland, five of whom have retired, namely Earps, Kirby, Jill Scott, Ellen White and Rachel Daly. Bright, Demi Stokes, Nikita Parris, Bethany England and Ellie Roebuck are the others to miss out, while long-time captain Steph Houghton retired last year.
England have made the fewest changes to their starting line-up between games out of the eight teams through to the quarter-finals