England faces the center of gravity of history in the semi-final match with Sweden
England will look to improve their record in the semi-finals of major tournaments when they face Sweden on Tuesday at Euro 2022.
Here, the PA news agency looks back over England’s history at this stage.
England women
The Lionesses have exited the last three major tournaments in the semi-finals, the 2015 and 2019 World Championships and the 2017 European Championship.
Their overall record has seen them win two of seven semi-finals and finish as runners-up at the 1984 and 2009 European Championships.
Euro 1984
As a reminder of how far women’s football has come, the 1984 tournament was not given official status and was played for 35 minutes each with a size four ball. England won their two-legged semi-final against Denmark 3-1 on aggregate and drew 1-1 on aggregate in the final against Sweden before losing 4-3 on penalties.
Euro 1987
Sweden were England’s conquerors again three years later, 3-2 after extra time thanks to Gunilla Axen’s second goal of the match. There was no consolation to be had in the third-place play-off, where Italy overcame Kerry Davis’ early penalty to win 2-1.
Euro 1995
With the two-legged format restored, England faced a mountain to climb after losing their first leg 4-1 to Germany. The eventual champions won 6-2 on aggregate despite early goals from Karen Farley in both games.
Euro 2009
After a 14-year wait, the Lionesses were back in the last four, beating the Netherlands 2-1 as Jill Scott’s extra-time winner added to Kelly Smith’s opener. However, they were hammered 6-2 by Germany in the final.
WC 2015
Aya Miyama and Fara Williams traded penalties before Laura Bassett’s unfortunate late own goal sent Japan through to the final. Another Williams spot-kick clinched third place via a 1-0 extra-time win over Germany.
Euro 2017
Millie Bright’s late own goal wrapped up a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands, who went on to win the title on home soil under Sarina Wiegman in a more favorable omen for England’s team of the year.
WC 2019
Ellen White scored but had another disallowance and Steph Houghton missed a penalty as England were beaten 2-1 by eventual champions USA. They lost the third-place play-off 2-1 to Sweden, with Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson on target before Fran Kirby responded.
England men
On the men’s side, their first semi-final appearance remains the highlight of the road to World Cup glory in 1966.
It took until last year to reach another final and, like the ladies, their overall semi-final record reads two, lost five.
WC 1966
Sir Bobby Charlton’s brace exposed Portugal 2-1 and set up an unforgettable final against West Germany, where Sir Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick secured a 4-2 extra-time win.
Euro 1968
England lost 1-0 to Yugoslavia in the semi-finals after Dragan Dzajic’s late goal before beating another since-defunct world powerhouse, the Soviet Union, into third place.
WC 1990
Gary Lineker equalized after Andy Brehme’s goal to force extra-time and penalties against West Germany, but Bodo Illgner saved from Stuart Pearce before Chris Waddle blazed over.
96 euros
Deja vu struck, even against a now united Germany. Alan Shearer’s early goal was quickly canceled out by Stefan Kuntz and after a perfect 10 penalties, current manager Gareth Southgate’s feeble effort was saved and Andreas Möller blew Germany through.
WC 2018
Kieran Trippier’s early free-kick against Croatia sparked the “Football is coming home” chant, but Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic had other ideas.
Nations League 2019
A smaller competition but a familiar near-miss, England lost 3-1 to the Netherlands before beating Switzerland on penalties in the third-place play-off.
Euro 2020
Harry Kane scored at the second attempt from an extra-time penalty to see off Denmark 2-1, but more penalties awaited England and Southgate in the final against Italy.