Sweden 1-0 Belgium: Linda Sembrant hits dramatic 92nd-minute winner

Sweden will want an “extraordinarily good plan” after they face hosts England within the Euro 2022 semi-finals, says supervisor Peter Gerhardsson.

“It will likely be an fascinating sport. I believe we’re very troublesome to beat,” added Gerhardsson after his aspect’s slender win over the Pink Flames at Leigh Sports activities Village.

“We have to ask ourselves ‘what can we do to cease them [England] from enjoying nicely and what are our alternatives to beat them?’

“We’re going to focus on it and look extra at their video games. They’ve a great expertise. We’re going to have a plan. I can guarantee you we’re going to have a plan, and we want a particularly good plan.”

Sweden, the top-ranked aspect at Euro 2022, had 33 makes an attempt in opposition to Belgium however struggled to transform their possibilities into targets till Sembrant struck from shut vary within the dying moments.

Stina Blackstenius had a purpose dominated out for offside earlier than being denied by a high-quality Nicky Evrard save, and it regarded as if the quarter-final was heading for further time when Sembrant struck from contained in the six-yard field.

Whereas Belgium’s gamers regarded shattered on the closing whistle, Sweden celebrated wildly in entrance of their jubilant followers within the 7,517 crowd.

On this proof, nonetheless, Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses won’t be too involved about what awaits them subsequent week. Whereas Sweden scored 5 of their earlier sport in opposition to Portugal, they spurned likelihood after likelihood earlier than ultimately edging via.

The expectation earlier than kick-off was that the Swedes would be part of Wiegman’s aspect in Sheffield, however they made onerous work of seeing off a Belgium aspect showing within the quarter-finals for the primary time.

Sweden began on the entrance foot in opposition to a staff 17 locations beneath them on the earth rankings.

Manchester Metropolis’s Filippa Angeldahl twice went shut within the early levels earlier than Blackstenius produced a composed end after being despatched clear via.

Her celebrations, nonetheless, had been lower quick after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) examine dominated she had strayed narrowly offside.

It was not all one-way site visitors. Justine Vanhaevermaet, scorer of Belgium’s first purpose at Euro 2022, went shut with a fierce try earlier than Sweden ultimately obtained the job achieved.

‘It’s onerous for us’

This was onerous to take for Belgium, who had been watched by Belgium males’s boss Roberto Martinez.

However the staff ranked nineteenth on the earth will take satisfaction from making Sweden work so onerous for his or her victory.

Their gamers regarded near tears on the finish however there are positives for the longer term.

“At this second it’s onerous for us,” mentioned Belgium boss Ives Serneels. “We have to be proud that we had been right here to play this glorious sport in opposition to Sweden.

“It should give us numerous expertise for the longer term. Now the gamers know what can occur once you work onerous for one thing.”