Wiegman reflects on 'most chaotic' game of he life
England boss Sarina Wiegman said the wild shootout finish made her side's comeback victory over Sweden in their UEFA Women's Euro 2025 quarter-final the most chaotic game she had ever been involved in.
Late goals by Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang sent the game to extra-time, and then eventually an astonishing penalty shootout featuring 14 shots.
"The adrenalin is still flowing, I can't remember anything like this," Wiegman said after the game.
"The team just fighting to get back in the game, that's the quality that's so strong in this team, they're together, fighting back, sticking together and just showing so much resilience."
Wiegman subbed on Agyemang, Beth Mead and Esme Morgan in the 70th minute, and then Chloe Kelly shortly after, and the attacking intensity instantly picked up.
"That really helped at that moment," Wiegman said.
The penalty shootout featured more misses than scores, which Wiegman admitted was hard to watch.
"You miss so many penalties, that I was really concerned, but then [Sweden] missed again, that needed a little bit of luck," she said.
"And then of course, they then miss and it is the most horrible way to end. But it made it for us maybe even more exciting."
The coach heaped praise on Bronze, who fired home England's deciding penalty despite limping on a sore right hamstring.
"Lucy Bronze is just one of a kind, I have never, ever seen this before in my life, and I'm very lucky person that I've worked with so many incredible people, incredible football players," Wiegman said.
"But what she does and her mentality ... what defines you is that resilience, that fight. I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair."
One negative on the night was captain Leah Williamson limping off with an ankle injury. Wiegman said she will be assessed before the weekend.
"I don't know what it is right now. She couldn't stay on the pitch so we had to take her off," the coach said.
Asked about other potential injuries, the coach just said her squad was really tired. "People are really tired," she said.
England next faces Italy in the semi-finals on in Geneva next Wednesday (AEST).
