Sarina Wiegman praised Hannah Hampton after the goalkeeper’s heroics helped England fight back from 2-0 down to beat Sweden on penalties and reach the Euro 2025 semi-finals. Hampton made two crucial saves in the shootout and two vital stops in normal time as the Lionesses triumphed 3-2 on spot kicks following a dramatic quarter-final in Zurich.
“She didn’t have doubters in our bubble. I think she had a very impressive performance,” Wiegman told BBC Sport. “She had some very good saves in the second half. She had one penalty on the right side that was an incredible save. Pretty big contribution today.” The England head coach later added: “Massive contribution to a very good team performance.”
Wiegman also singled out Lucy Bronze, whose header sparked the second-half fightback. “Lucy Bronze is just one of a kind, I have never, ever seen this before in my life,” she said. “What defines her is that resilience, that fight. I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.”
England captain Leah Williamson, who was substituted in extra time, admitted the shootout was “awful to watch” but praised her team’s mentality. “We don’t ever give up and we’ve said it before, we’re never done,” she said. “The fightback, the quality to turn the game around and then stay in it mentality, just incredible.”
Hampton, named Uefa’s player of the match, said: “I think it shows that proper England is back. Everyone would be putting their bodies on the line, literally. You know everyone has got your back out there.” The Lionesses will face Italy in Geneva on Tuesday for a place in the final.
