England team ratings v Sweden – Chloe Kelly dazzles as Lionesses sneak through
England have progressed to the semi-finals of the Women’s Euros via a dramatic penalty shootout win over Sweden.
The Lionesses got off to the worst start possible in Switzerland on Thursday, 17 July, when Kosovare Asllani capitalised on England’s sloppy play to give Peter Gerhardsson’s side the lead inside two minutes.
Keira Walsh gave the ball away to Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius after being sold short by Jess Carter’s poorly weighted pass.
The Champions League winner then played in Asllani, who duly obliged to put the Scandinavian side ahead.
Sarina Wiegman’s women remained nervy in possession soon after conceding, with Arsenal star Leah Willamson making a vital defensive intervention.
The Lionesses showed their first glimpse of attacking prowess when Lauren Hemp’s ferocious effort hit Jennifer Falk’s crossbar.
However, matters went from bad to worse for the Euro 2022 winners when Blackstenius doubled Sweden’s advantage on 25 minutes after suspect defending from Carter.
But England turned the game on its head via quick fire goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang who made it 2-2.
A rollercoaster of a penalty shootout then ensued as Wiegman’s women won 3-2 in sudden death, despite missed spot-kicks from Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton.
England team ratings v Sweden
Hannah Hampton – 8
The 24-year-old couldn’t do anything to prevent Asllani’s goal after both Jess Carter and Walsh let her down. Similarly, Blackstenius’ effort proved too difficult to keep out after poor Lionesses defending. Hampton subsequently did well to clear the ball when being closed down by Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfo, before later making a catalogue of good saves. Ultimately a hero via her performance between the sticks in the shootout.
Lucy Bronze – 8
Lucy Bronze produced a largely solid performance in an otherwise poor defensive showing from England, keeping Rolfo quiet for the most part. The 33-year-old then gave the Lionesses the lifeline they needed when she scored from close range on 79 minutes. Thundered her decisive penalty home.
Leah Williamson – 5
Williamson showed her quality when she cut out Blackstenius’ attempted cutback soon after Wiegman’s side went 1-0 down. Other than that, though, the 28-year-old had no answer to the constant threat provided by Asllani and Blackstenius before England turned proceedings around late on.
Jess Carter – 4
The former Chelsea woman was majorly at fault for Sweden’s opening goal, playing a pass that put Walsh into all kinds of trouble. Carter then showed a lack of defensive awareness by failing to pick up Blackstenius for Sweden’s second goal.
Alex Greenwood – 5
Greenwood ensured that right-winger Johanna Ryting Kaneryd was not a major threat for Sweden, but the 31-year-old could not get forward to great effect. Luckily, her penalty miss did not sway the result.
Georgia Stanway – 5
The Bayern Munich woman lacked dynamism and class, summing up a largely poor showing from Wiegman’s side, and cannot feel aggrieved that she was hooked from the action on 70 minutes.
Keira Walsh – 4
Although Carter did the 28-year-old no favours, Walsh cannot hide away from the fact that she gave the ball away for Asllani’s goal.
Lauren James – 4
The Chelsea ace lacked her usual quality in the first half, but completed a dangerous cross for Hemp early on in the second 45 minutes. James grew into the game in the second half, along with Wiegman’s side as a whole. Missed her spot-kick in the shootout.
Ella Toone – 5
Similarly to James, Ella Toone has enjoyed an impressive tournament, but could not trouble Gerhardsson’s side. The Manchester United woman must regret not having a shot when she was played in behind, instead witnessing her cut-back get intercepted.
Lauren Hemp – 5
The Manchester City woman was the shining light in an otherwise slow start from the defending European champions, as her early effort hit the bar. However, Hemp subsequently produced a glaring miss when she failed to head home Lauren James’ promising cross.
Alessia Russo – 6
Thanks to England’s lack of creativity for large parts of the game, the Arsenal attacker was reduced to feeding off scraps. However, Alessia Russo was unable to remain composed when she received the ball in dangerous areas. Nerveless in the shootout unlike four teammates.
Substitutes
Beth Mead (for Toone, 70) – 5
Mead injected the sort of urgency and quality that England needed when they found themselves 2-0 down with just 20 minutes left to go. However, like James she couldn’t convert from 12 yards in the shootout.
Esme Morgan (for Carter, 70) – 6
The 24-year-old added significantly more quality to the Lionesses backline than what had been on display from Carter.
Michelle Agyemang (for Stanway, 70) – 8
Striker Agyemang did exactly what was asked of her by scoring the equaliser for England.
Chloe Kelly (for Hemp, 78) – 9 (Player of the match)
Chloe Kelly was brought on to the field of play when Wiegman’s women seemingly had no hope, at 2-0 down and with 12 minutes left on the clock. But the former Manchester City winger became a super sub, notching an assist within a minute of entering the pitch. Impressively composed when she had to score her penalty.
Grace Clinton (for Walsh, 104) – 5
Grace Clinton added much-needed energy and quality to England’s deep-lying midfield pivot in extra time. Among the four Lionesses to miss their penalty.
Niamh Charles (for Williamson, 106) – 8
The Chelsea defender didn’t feature for long, but she made a vital block to prevent Sweden re-establishing their lead.