Resilience, luck and subs – England’s winning formula

They couldn’t, couldn’t they?

England and Sweden reached quarter-finals at Euro 2025 with 2-0, but they did manage to score two goals in as many minutes to level the score.

Chloe Kelly scored in the shootout, Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk headed home with a penalty of her own, and Hannah Hampton, their opposite, denied Sofia Jakobsson.

Sweden exposed the defensive weaknesses of England once more, but Sarina Wiegman, England manager, made the necessary changes in Zurich.

As England qualified for a semi-final against Italy on Tuesday, it was a tale of resilience, good fortune, and an incredible impact of the “super-subs.” Sound quaint to you?

They have turned out to be positive characteristics of England’s major tournament journeys, with resilience, resilience, and resilience, when key players were missing, helping them reach the final of the 2023 World Cup.

That togetherness and fighting back is a trait that this team possesses so admirably. It demonstrates a lot of resilience,” manager Wiegman said.

“We modified it and added more players,” she said. In that particular situation, they really helped the team.

No matter what the score, Wiegman’s rotations always made a difference in the second half of the 2022 season.

She backed her players in delivering the game plan and assigned the same starting XI for each of her six matches.

In Switzerland, Wiegman’s selection remained unchanged for a third successive match, with her first substitution coming in the 70th minute against Sweden.

Sweden’s pace had carved out a unique start for England, but Hampton, who made important saves after the break, kept them under pressure.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s conflict with Defender Jess Carter had forced her to switch to the right-sided centre-back position.

England trailed 2-0 to Sweden, who were brutally persistent and had their fans singing ABBA songs.

Wiegman could probably switch things up at halftime, right? She might not be able to handle Sweden’s directness. England must have had a plan B, right?

However, Wiegman’s plan is frequently successful because she hasn’t ever swayed from it.

Things changed with the additions of Kelly, Beth Mead, Michelle Agyemang, and Esme Morgan.

England was unapologetically at the forefront. Lucy Bronze, a defender, headed in Kelly’s deep cross into the back post, and 103 seconds later Agyemang made it 2-2.

More than any other team, England scored via a substitute at Euro 2025 for the third time.

This team is simply incredible, I don’t know why. When Wiegman asked how her side remained resilient despite setbacks, she said, “They stick together.”

The players came together, accepted responsibility, and took action to improve the game that we had against France.

As those who scored to Wiegman’s right sang her name as England trailed 2-0, the fans may have had doubts, but they did not display it at Stadion Letzigrund.

England still relyed heavily on luck when things eventually started to turn out.

As extra time passed, the ball didn’t quite drop for Sweden on set-pieces, and momentum started to wane for England.

However, Sweden had the final say in the shootout. They both had good luck, and they won by themselves with penalties.

Before Hampton dived low to save Jakobsson’s spot-kick, Sweden goalkeeper Falk wasted the first chance by blasting the ball over the crossbar.

England’s most experienced player was prepared to take her moment as Sweden’s senior players wasted their opportunities.

When it mattered, 33-year-old Bronze, who is currently playing in her seventh major tournament, delivered.

She took a deep breath, thumped her penalty, and headed into the roof of the net, an example of England’s resilience.

As she watched the supporters behind the goal, a roar came out as she ripped off the tape she had worn to herself during the match.

She kicked the hoardings behind the same net about 30 minutes earlier, causing a surge of emotion as she spearheaded England’s comeback.

“Lucy was chaotic in herself, alright? She had a lot going on, really. She became a physio, she became a striker, and she was awarded the game’s best penalty, according to teammate Mead.

“In those circumstances, Lucy really showed her experience,” she said. She is our most accomplished English player, and I believe she was one of the few players who truly inspired us all today.

Wiegman acknowledged she was “really concerned” that England were heading for trouble after failing to convert four penalties.

However, it was appropriate that Bronze assisted in advancing her team.

She is unique, not a piece of cake. This is something I haven’t seen before in my life. What she does and her attitude have affected me as a working with so many incredible football players, Wiegman said.