Sweden 1-0 Belgium: Late winners set up semi-final with England after frustrating display
weden left it late to secure their place in the women’s Euro 2022 semi-finals – and a date with hosts England.
Linda Sembrant’s stoppage-time finish from one of countless goal battles finally broke Belgium’s fierce resistance in front of over 7,000 fans in Leigh.
It looked like extra-time would be required, forcing the winner through at least another 30 minutes before Tuesday’s match-up in Sheffield, which would surely have suited England after their own lengthy exploits against Spain.
Sweden poured 34 shots on target by superb Belgian goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, who denied Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius’ close-range header with a particularly clever reflex save, in a largely frustrating and fruitless display.
Too often, the Olympic silver medalists and overwhelming favorites against a first-time European Championship team resorted to shooting from distance or swiping on imperfect opportunities despite their dominance.
Belgium were smart in possession and slowed the game down at opportune times but failed to land a blow of their own as they sank ever deeper in the second half.
Indeed, the Red Flames were lucky not to concede earlier when Blackstenius rolled home one-on-one before the break only to be called back for the sort of narrow offside call only VAR could spot.
Sweden grabbed the winner in the second of three minutes of stoppage time after a corner under Evrard’s crossbar was deflected to Nathalie Bjorn. Evrard parried her effort, only for it to land at Sembrant’s feet and the Juventus defender made no mistake.