Hannah Hampton: Lionesses' penalty hero plays down injury worry after breathless quarter-final win | OneFootball

The Chelsea starlet was under increased pressure in the tournament as she replaced the retired Mary Earps

Hannah Hampton says England proved people can never write them off with their dramatic victory over Sweden.

The Lionesses came from 2-0 down to beat Sweden on penalties and book a place in the semi-finals of Euro 2025.

Hampton was one of the heroes in the shootout, saving two of Sweden’s penalties as England set up a clash with Italy on Tuesday.

“It just all has gone so quickly, that last little bit of the penalty shootout,” said Hampton. “We’re very happy. The fans knew we could bring this back and you never write us off.

“[It was] stressful. Stressful watching, stressful playing. Every time I saved one [penalty] I was thinking: ‘Please just put it in so we have a bit of a cushion’. Their keeper then just went and saved the next one and I was thinking: ‘Oh goodness, here we go.’

“I think I was better in the game when I had one nostril than when I was completely fine! Just happy and relieved now.

“The fans were cheering non-stop. It helps you get that little bit of an edge over them and stretch a little extra for each dive. They were definitely behind me and I really appreciated all of the support.”

Hampton made two big saves in normal time, denying Frida Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius. The goalkeeper was then in the wars during extra time and she was left with a bloodied nose after coming for a cross.

“It’s fine,” said Hampton. “Me and nosebleeds never go well. Me and the doctor have had some great history in the past with having to go to hospital and stuff, so as soon as he came over he was thinking: ‘Not again’. I'm better with one nostril now.”

England were second best for much of this quarter-final and they were 2-0 down inside the opening 25 minutes.

Late goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang rescued them, and head coach Sarina Wiegman admitted it was a rollercoaster of emotions.

“It was hard,” she said. “One of the hardest games I’ve ever watched. Very emotional. We could’ve been out four or five times during the game. When you’re 2-0 down at half-time it’s not good.

“We started really badly and then at the end of the first half we got better and in the second half we got better but we didn't create anything so we had to change shape. Then we scored two goals so that was crazy already.

“Then we go into extra-time, some players injured, some players cramping, Hannah Hampton with blood all over the place.

“Then we go to the penalty shootout and we miss a lot but they miss even more and we're through. I need to decompress I think!”