Sweden snatch last gasp victory over resilient Belgium in EURO quarter-finals | OneFootball

Linda Sembrant netted a 92nd-minute winner for Sweden as they defeated Belgium 1-0 in their UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 quarter-final in Leigh this evening.

The third quarter-final of the tournament presented two sides at very different points in their journeys. Sweden are the second-ranked team in the world fresh off winning a Silver Medal at the Olympics and a Bronze at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 while Belgium are competing at only their second UEFA Women’s EURO and narrowly made it out of the group stage for the very first time.

It was the favourites Sweden who looked to be having the run of things early on. Filippa Angeldahl fired from distance and her shot looked to be creeping into the bottom corner, however, Nicky Evrard in the Belgium goal had other ideas. She dived low to her left and got two solid hands behind the ball to turn it away from the corner.

Evrard was eventually beaten minutes later. A beautiful Kosovare Asllani pass cut through the Belgian defence and put Stina Blackstenius one-on-one with the Belgian keeper. Evrard committed to going low to her right and the Arsenal forward side-footed the ball over her diving body and into the net. The goal was initially given but after a lengthy VAR check, it was disallowed for a marginal offside on Blackstenius.

Sweden had the vast majority of the chances in the first half and would have been ahead but for some top quality goalkeeping and resolute defending.

The Swedes were much on top again in the second half but they struggled to fashion many clear-cut opportunities. Their best chance came when Blackstenius headed at goal from six yards out. You would have bet your house on her scoring but once again Evrard, who has had a superb tournament, came to the rescue, producing lightning quick reactions to reach out and direct the ball away.

Belgium looked like they had done enough to force extra-time but then they were dealt a very cruel blow. A corner was floated in right on top of the Belgian goal-line. Evrard punched the ball away but only as far as Nathalie Björn at the back post. The keeper recovered well to block the shot but the ball fell straight to Sembrant who fired in from close range. It was virtually the last kick of the game and guaranteed Sweden the victory.

Sweden’s win now sets up a semi-final tie with hosts England at Bramall Lane in Sheffield on Tuesday. If they are to advance to the final, they will need to be more clinical than they were tonight.