Sweden vs Belgium LIVE: Result and reaction as Sweden dramatically set up semi-final against England
Reaction as last-gasp Linda Sembrant goal books Sweden a semi-final against England on Tuesday
Defender Linda Sembrant fired a stoppage-time winner to give Sweden a 1-0 win over Belgium and set up a Euro 2022 semi-final against hosts England next Tuesday.
The Swedes kept Belgium pinned back for most of the first half and should have taken the lead when Stina Blackstenius slotted the ball home in the 25th minute. However, a VAR review showed that she was just offside when Kosovare Asllani passed her the ball and the goal was chalked off.
The second half was almost identical with the Swedes pouring forward and the Belgium defence standing resolute, and goalkeeper Nicky Evrard pulled off a brilliant reflex save to deny Blackstenius in the 73rd minute.
The game looked to be heading for extra time when the Swedes won a corner in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, and Sembrant reacted quickest to rifle the ball home to send the Swedes through to the last four.
Follow all the reaction from the Euro 2022 quarter-final as Sweden join England and Germany in the next round:
NO GOAL! Sweden 0-0 Belgium
26 mins: Reprieve for the Red Flames! The goal was sent for a VAR check and Stina Blackstenius’s goal has been ruled out for offside!
It’s an incredibly close call and Belgium have got away with one.
GOAL! Sweden 1-0 Belgium (25’ Blackstenius)⚽️
25 mins: Sweden take the lead! Belgium have the ball deep in the Swedish half but it gets cleared out to Kosovare Asllani who threads a perfect pass between the lines to send Stina Blackstenius in behind.
Blackstenius has a lot of work to do yet, but drives into the box and side-foots her finish past Nicky Evrard.
Sweden 0-0 Belgium
21 mins: Julie Biesmans tracks Johanna Rytting Kaneryd into the right side of the Belgium box and manages to nick the ball off her before turning it behind.
The ball goes out off the Swedish winger but the referee awards a corner.
The set piece is swung over to Nathalie Bjorn who nods the ball dwon before lifting a shot over the crossbar.
Sweden 0-0 Belgium
18 mins: Sweden’s intensity is causing problems for Belgium. The Red Flames have had a lot of defending to do in these opening 20 minutes or so and they seem a touch off the pace when in possession.
It’s hard work for them at the minute.
Sweden 0-0 Belgium
15 mins: Oh my, that was close.
A cross comes into the Belgium box picking out Amanda Ilestedt on the right side after the defender pushes up for the first time in the match.
Ilestedt whips a header at Nicky Evrard who palms the ball away but only into the path of Stina Blackstenius. The forward tries to get the ball under control but fumbles over it and the goalkeeper dives across and safely smothers the ball.
Sweden 0-0 Belgium
12 mins: Chance! Belgium are caught in possession deep in their own half and the ball rolls out to Stina Blackstenius. She brings it into the box before pulling it back to Filippa Angeldal who side-foots her first time effort over the crossbar.
That’s three good chances for Angeldal now and she’s only found the target with one.
Sweden 0-0 Belgium
9 mins: Angeldal has another shy at goal meeting a cleared ball on the volley and smashing it high and wide.
Belgium work the ball to the other end of the pitch and win themselves a corner. It’s curled over to the far side of the penalty area where it bounces through to Johanna Rytting Kaneryd who clears the Swedish lines.
Sweden 0-0 Belgium
6 mins: Save! Nicky Evrard is called into action early on after Belgium fall away from Filippa Angeldal’s driving run through midfield.
Space opens up in front of her and she smokes a fine effort at goal forcing the goalkeeper to leap to her left and palm it wide of the post.
Sweden 0-0 Belgium
3 mins: Nearly! Davina Philtjens is given the ball on the left side of the pitch and sends it forward to Marie Minnaert. Linda Sembrant intercepts but Minnaert closes her down and recovers the ball.
She brings it to the edge of the box before running into trouble and turning back. A pass to Tine De Caigney keeps the move alive and Minnaert heads out wide to provide a crossing option.
She fizzes a good cross into the middle but can’t pick out a team mate. Solid early pressure from Belgium.
Kick off: Sweden 0-0 Belgium
Sweden kick off the first half. They are the overwhelming favourites to win this game but Belgium won’t make it easy for them. This is the first time the two sides have met in a major tourament and both will feel as though they have the skills to win.
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