Sweden and England will face off in Zurich on Thursday evening for a place in the semi-finals of the 2025 Women’s Euros. The game pits together two of Europe’s heaviest heavyweights, both of whom come into the game with a realistic chance to win this year's tournament.
Sweden arrive in the quarter-finals as Group C winners, having produced a statement 4-1 victory over Germany to secure top spot and maintain a perfect record in the tournament so far.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side have been good at both ends of the pitch, scoring eight goals and conceding just once in the group stage. Stina Blackstenius has been in excellent form, scoring in both the win over Germany and earlier against Poland, while Fridolina Rolfo and Lina Hurtig have also been valuable contributors in the final third.
A hallmark of Sweden’s campaign has been their ability to create chances from wide areas, with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd particularly effective on the right flank. The Swedes have recorded the most open play crosses in the group stage, and their transitions have troubled even the strongest defences. Kosovare Asllani remains a key creative force, having been directly involved in half of Sweden’s group-stage goals, while the experience of Caroline Seger and Magdalena Eriksson adds composure at the back.
Sweden’s run to the last eight has been marked by a blend of athleticism, tactical adeptness and a collective spirit that was evident in their comeback win against Germany. The squad is largely unchanged from recent major tournaments, providing continuity and a clear understanding of Gerhardsson’s approach.
England enter the quarter-finals following a resounding 6-1 win over Wales, a result that capped an impressive recovery from their opening defeat to France. Sarina Wiegman’s team finished as runners-up in Group D, but their recent performances suggest a side rediscovering its rhythm at the right time. The Lionesses followed the loss to France with a 4-0 victory over the Netherlands before dismantling Wales, with goals shared among Beth Mead, Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The England squad features a healthy mix of established leaders and younger talents. Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh and Leah Williamson provide experience and stability, while Lauren James, Hemp and Russo offer dynamism and X-factor in the final third. The midfield, anchored by Walsh and Stanway, has improved dramatically in the last two games, and they're going to have to be very clean on the ball in order to limit Sweden's transitions.
These two sides faced off in the semi-finals of the 2022 Euros, with England putting the Swedes to the sword in a resounding 4-0 win. A repeat of that scoreline is highly, highly unlikely here, with both Weigman and Gerhardsson likely prepared for a fiercely competitive contest. Both teams are in good shape, but when push comes to shove, England have the edge in both player quality and recent tournament know-how, winning the Euros in 2022 and reaching the World Cup final in 2024. We are, then, backing the Lionesses to come out on top in what should be a tense game.
Sweden 1-2 England
