MY ACCOUNT
History beckons for England at Women’s Euro 2022 with Sarina Wiegman’s side two games away from lifting the trophy on home soil this summer.
The Lionesses edged Spain 2-1 after extra-time in the quarter-finals last Wednesday and now go head to head with 2019 World Cup semi-finalists Sweden for a place in the Wembley final.
Sweden have not really hit top gear at Euro 2022 — beating quarter-final opponents Belgium 1-0, courtesy of a 92nd-minute winner from Linda Sembrant — but will nonetheless be stern opponents for the tournament hosts.
Team news
Wiegman has no new injury concerns to deal with in the England squad but could make a tweak or two to the starting line-up, with Alex Greenwood expected to replace Rachel Daly at left-back.
There have been calls from some fans to replace all-time top scorer Ellen White with Alessia Russo up top but the Manchester City ace should keep her starting berth.
Veteran midfielder Caroline Seger remains sidelined for Sweden with a heel injury.
The stats
Following their extra-time victory over Spain, England are now unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions in a run that stretches back to April 2021.
The Lionesses have also been in the goals lately, netting at least three times in eight of their last 10, and their tally of 16 goals at this European Championship is bettered only by Germany in the 2009 tournament.
Sweden kept clean sheets against Portugal and Belgium recently but both teams have scored in four of their last six contests.
Prediction
England will be well aware of the threat that Olympic silver medallists Sweden pose in this semi-final encounter but the Lionesses are capable of winning this match in 90 minutes.
Their free-scoring attack has been a joy to watch. The 8-0 demolition of Norway has been the highlight but the way England dug deep to see off pre-tournament favourites Spain in the last eight was arguably even more impressive.
Wiegman played a key role with some great tactical changes — Millie Bright moving up front enhanced England’s attacking threat and substitute Ella Toone bagged the equaliser — and the comeback victory should give the Lionesses a massive confidence boost.
England’s head coach also knows what it takes to win these kinds of games, having led the Netherlands to glory on their own patch at Euro 2017.
Sweden, meanwhile, have not looked at their best in this tournament.
As well as the narrow win over Belgium, their matches with the Netherlands and Switzerland were also closely contested and England have the better options on the bench.
One of those is Manchester United forward Russo, who bagged three goals in the tournament’s group phase and set up Toone’s equaliser against Spain.
If the match is level in the latter stages of the game, she could be a great option from the bench again for Wiegman and looks a decent contender to score in this match at Bramall Lane.
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