Sweden wanted an damage time objective from centre-back Linda Sembrant in order to beat a cussed Belgium facet and attain the semi-finals of Euro 2022.
The Red Flames put up one hell of a battle and dug in deep to frustrate the event favourites, however had been undone on the loss of life and the Blagult will now face England in the final 4 subsequent week.
Belgium started brightly and with confidence, however the first likelihood went Sweden’s method when Filippa Angeldal’s 20-yard strike compelled Nicky Evrard right into a stretching save.
A mistake on the again by Laura Deloose allowed Angldal one other likelihood to attain, however this time her shot sailed narrowly over.
Sweden’s early strain continued when Amanda Ilestedt’s header was parried by Evrard, and Stina Blackstenius was unable to regulate the rebound from mere yards out and Belgium nearly cleared their traces.
Nathalie Bjorn was subsequent to fireside over after an Amanda Nilden nook fell kindly to her on the far put up, earlier than Sweden thought they’d taken the lead via Blackstenius moments later after Kosovare Asllani pierced the Belgian defence with a fragile via ball on the counter assault. However, a prolonged VAR examine revealed that the Arsenal ahead was offside and the objective was chalked off.
Justine Vanhaevermaet lashed a shot broad on the different finish as the Red Flames regarded to hit Sweden on the break, whereas Evrard needed to be alert to maintain Blackstenius out from point-blank vary once more following a harmful nook.
Just after the half-time break, Evrard held her floor to carry a Fridolina Rolfo volley, and one other header from Ilestedt rattled the bar once more – although this time an offside flag was raised.
Sweden maintained their strain all through the second half however discovered it powerful breaking down Belgium’s deeper defensive unit.
Blackstenius was once more thwarted by Evrard when she punched away her header from simply yards out as soon as extra, whereas Belgium missed an enormous likelihood to go in entrance when Tine De Caigny didn’t advance in direction of objective when solely confronted with Hedvig Lindahl.
Substitute Elena Dhont lashed a speculative shot into the facet netting as the sport opened up in the dying phases.
But Belgium hearts had been damaged as extra-time was looming when Sembrant poked residence following a scramble from a nook to arrange a mouthwatering conflict with England in Sheffield in the semi-finals.
GK: Hedvig Lindahl – 6/10 – Her distribution was glorious, whereas she was not often troubled.
RB: Amanda Ilestedt – 7/10 – Got ahead with actual intent and was arguably extra threatening than Rytting Kaneryd.
CB: Linda Sembrant – 7/10 – Caught dawdling from time to time however not an excessive amount of. Scored a well-earned winner.
CB: Magdalena Eriksson – 7/10 – Largely strong on the again after an early scare.
LB: Amanda Nilden – 6/10 – Not as busy as Ilestedt at both finish.
CM: Filippa Angeldal – 7/10 – Continually brought on issues for Belgium in the ultimate third.
CM: Kosovare Asllani – 9/10 – A genius. Often created possibilities out of skinny air and danced her method throughout the pitch.
CM: Nathalie Bjorn – 6/10 – Wasn’t as industrious as her midfield companions.
RW: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd – 6/10 – Supported assaults however was scarcely the protagonist of them.
CF: Stina Blackstenius – 7/10 – A relentless menace for the Belgian backline. Unlucky that her objective did not stand.
LW: Fridolina Rolfo – 7/10 – Played a backseat function to Asllani’s runs ahead in the primary half however was concerned far more after the break.
SUB: Hanna Bennison (84′, CM for Angeldal) – 6/10
GK: Nicky Evrard – 9/10 – Routinely got here to the rescue for the Red Flames. Hard to imagine she’s solely a semi-professional participant and rents out bouncy castles in her spare time.
RB: Laura Deloose – 4/10 – Often caught in possession and was lucky to not be instantly punished.
CB: Sari Kees – 6/10 – Tried to restrict Asllani and Angeldal to photographs from distance.
CB: Laura De Neve – 7/10 – An spectacular efficiency from the Anderlecht defender, sweeping up and taking part in from the again.
LB: Davina Philtjens – 7/10 – Used her expertise nicely to sluggish Sweden’s proper facet down. Would have been suspended for the semi-final after selecting up a reserving.
CM: Julie Biesmans – 5/10 – Booked for a cynical foul on Asllani. Grew into the sport after that however remained in the wars.
CM: Justine Vanhaevermaet – 7/10 – Quite clearly has an imposing presence and that ought to have been utilised much more.
CM: Marie Minnaert – 5/10 – Carved out a few of Belgium’s greatest possibilities.
RW: Tine De Caigny – 4/10 – Provided little or no.
CF: Tessa Wullaert – 5/10 – Was usually remoted wherever she discovered herself in Belgium’s fluid assault however was a helpful point of interest.
LW: Janice Cayman – 4/10 – Should in all probability have helped a bit extra going the opposite method. Eventually was compelled to when shifted to right-back.
SUB: Elena Dhont (67′, RW for Deloose) – 6/10
SUB: Kassandra Missipo (88′, CM for Biesmans) – 5/10