Sweden strike late to set up England’s Euro 2022 semi-final
Leigh (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Linda Sembrant’s stoppage-time winner broke Belgian hearts as Sweden won 1-0 in Leigh on Friday to set up a Euro 2022 semi-final with hosts England.
The Olympic silver medalists were strong favorites to advance against a Belgian side playing in their first ever knockout match at a major women’s tournament.
But the number two ranked side in the world were frustrated by Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, poor finishing and a controversial VAR review on 92 minutes.
Sweden’s preparations had been affected by a trio of positive coronavirus cases for Jonna Andersson, Hanna Glas and Emma Kullberg.
But they still dominated from start to finish with 34 tries to Belgium’s three.
Filippa Angeldal forced Evrard into the first of a string of saves inside the opening 10 minutes.
The Manchester City midfielder, who scored twice in Sweden’s 5-0 win over Portugal in their last group game, then fired over with a clearer opening from the edge of the box.
Sweden thought they had broken through in the 26th minute when Stina Blackstenius coolly slotted past Evrard from Kosovare Asllani’s through ball.
However, for the third time in the tournament, the Arsenal forward was denied by a VAR review for offside, effectively disallowing the goal.
The fluidity of Sweden’s attack disappeared after the break as they struggled to break through the massed ranks of the Belgian defence.
Computer games then became the biggest threat from Peter Gerhardsson’s side.
Blackstenius should have scored when she headed too close to the excellent Evrard.
The Gent goalkeeper was even equal to Nathalie Björn’s effort in the final minute of stoppage time, but the rebound fell kindly for Sembrant to smash the rebound home and spark wild scenes of celebration in the Swedish squad.