England are into the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 final following a 4-0 victory over Sweden at Bramall Lane in Sheffield this evening.
Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby were on target for the Lionesses as they booked their place in the final at the home of football.
England started the match with a few nerves and could have been behind inside a minute. Sofia Jakobsson found space inside the box but home keeper Mary Earps made a crucial block.
At the other end, Mead headed wide before Sweden had another big chance but Stina Blackstenius was unable to get enough power on her shot to beat Earps.
Blackstenius then headed a shot against the bar from the resulting corner before Fridolina Rolfö fired an effort into the side-netting.
England began to settle and they broke the deadlock just after the half-hour. Bronze’s cross found Mead and she struck her effort across goal and into the far corner of the Swedish net.
That goal arguably took some of the edge off Sweden and the Lionesses took a one-goal advantage into the break.
England doubled their lead early in the second half when Bronze headed into the far corner of the net. VAR took a look at the goal but saw nothing to chalk it off.
Lauren Hemp then fired against the bar following a Russo cross before Earps superbly tipped Blackstenius’ effort to safety at the other end.
England soon added a third goal through Russo. Her initial effort was saved by Hedvig Lindahl but she made no mistake with the follow up, a cheeky back-heel which dribbled through the Swedish keeper’s legs.
Kirby then lobbed former teammate Lindahl for goal number four as the Lionesses capped off a fine night for the nation.
England will now face Germany or France in Sunday’s final at Wembley.
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