Lionesses reach their first major tournament since 2019 after brushing aside Sweden

England reached their first tournament final since 2009 after brushing aside Sweden in the semi-final of the Women’s European Championship at Bramhall Lane in Sheffield on Tuesday.

The Lionesses had to survive plenty of early scares including Sweden hitting the bar before Beth Mead scored for England in their first chance of the game. The second half belonged to England with three further strikes to seal victory where they will meet  Germany in the final after the Germans beat France 2-1 on Wednesday.

Sweden were out of the traps the quickest and within the first minute of the game England’s keeper Mary Earps was called into action by kicking a shot away from Sofia Jakobson.

If this wasn’t enough warning the world’s second-best side would be an easy assignment for England, Earps was a bust lady having to make a fine save from Stina Blackstenius.

The Swedes almost broke the deadlock when a set piece corner was headed on to the bar from Blackstenius.

England looked rattled early on and took time to settle into the game. A Mead header dropping wide of the post was their only half chance of note as Sweden continued to dominate.

However, in the 34^th minute and against the run of play, England opened the scoring, following a cross straight into the path of Mead with one touch she swivelled round before smashing the ball into the net for her sixth goal in the tournament to give England a slender one goal lead at the break.

The Lionesses doubled their advantage within three minutes of the restart when a Lucy Bronze downward header from a corner went into the net.

England started to dominate the game and always looked like they could add to their total of goals for the night.

Lauren Hemp’s shot came off the bar after excellent work from Alessia Russo with England in full flow.

There was just a small scare for England when Earps produced a magnificent fingertip save to deny Blackstenius’s looping shot with Sweden’s only real chance in the second half.

Two late goals were the icing on the cake for the home fans with a goal to remember in the 68^th minute from Russo, who saw her effort saved before a checky back heal rolled into the net.

The crowd wanted a fourth and they got one with an excellent chip from Fran Kirby to complete a memorable night for England Women’s football.

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