England and Sweden are preparing to face off in their Euro 2025 quarterfinal on Thursday after both impressed on the final matchday of the group phase.
England, who finished as runners-up in Group D, will face Sweden, the winners of Group C, at Zurich's Letzigrund in a high-pressure match that will determine who proceeds to the semifinals to meet either Norway or Italy.
Sweden have performed exceptionally thus far in the tournament, winning all three of their group matches against Germany, Poland, and Denmark, making them a side to watch as the competition increases in calibre and pressure.
Historically, the four-time finalists have been a consistently powerful force throughout all iterations of the Women's Euros, bringing home the first ever trophy in 1984, as well as reaching the semifinals in 2022. They also won bronze at the Women's World Cup in 2023.
The Lionesses, who are the reigning European champions, will prove a tough test for the Swedes as they have settled further into their stride as the tournament has matured. Despite a shaky start against France, when they lost 2-1, they went on to convincingly win both other games in their group phase, including a clinical 6-1 thrashing of Wales to secure progress to the knockouts.
The last time the sides met in the Euros was at the semifinal stage three years ago, where England ousted Sweden with a 4-0 victory. However, in their most recent match during qualification for the Euro 2025, they drew 1-1, suggesting a tough showdown to come on Thursday.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.
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England vs. Sweden starting lineups, team news
Sweden have proved their mettle again and again in this competition, especially with their uncanny ability to meticulously counterattack — a skill they displayed brilliantly against Germany in their final group game.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was named Player of the Match and is a calculatedly dangerous player to look out for in attack, alongside the power of the rapid Stina Blackstenius.
Midfielder Kosovare Allsani and left-winger Fridolina Rolfo have also become key tools in Sweden's offensive arsenal, often stepping in to put the pressure on their defensive opponents in four-vs-two situations.
Sweden predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Falk (GK) — Lundkvist, Bjorn, Sembrant, Andersson — Angeldahl, Asllani, Zigiotti Olme — Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Janogy
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Misses next match if booked: Asllani
Full Sweden squad
Goalkeepers: Emma Holmgren, Jennifer Falk, Tove Enblom
Defenders: Jonna Andersson, Linda Sembrant, Hanna Lundkvist, Amanda Nildén, Magdalena Eriksson, Amanda Ilestedt, Nathalie Björn, Smilla Holmberg
Midfielders: Madelen Janogy, Sofia Jakobsson, Julia Zigiotti Olme, Fillipa Angeldahl, Hanna Bennison
Forwards: Lina Hurtig, Kosovare Asllani, Stina Blackstenius, Ellen Wangerheim, Fridolina Rolfö, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Rebecka Blomqvist.
Despite initial fears about the Lionesses' performance after their uninspiring loss to France in their first game of the tournament, England have moved from strength to strength, proving to the public why they are still a force to be reckoned with after their stellar win in 2022.
In attack, Ella Toone has wowed, scoring in both the Netherlands and Wales games after originally being left off the starting XI against France.
Alessia Russo, Arsenal's renowned scorer, has proved how much she deserves her reputation, not only scoring against Wales but setting up numerous goals for her teammates with her intelligent, selfless control of the ball.
In defence, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has proved herself to be a worthy successor of the legendary Mary Earps, consistently impressing with not only her shot-stopping but her ability to distribute the ball over any distance.
England predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Hampton (GK) — Bronze, Williamson, Carter, Greenwood — Toone, Walsh — Stanway, James, Hemp — Russo
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Misses next match if booked: Toone
Full England squad
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse
Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Midfielders: Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh
Forwards: Michelle Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo.
England vs. Sweden score prediction
Both sides have exhibited that they are serious contenders in the competition, and both will have to bring their best performances in order to progress to the semifinals. However, the Lionesses seem to have energised themselves into becoming an incredibly adaptable yet offensively unstoppable group, which should hold them in good stead against the physicality of the Swedes.
Score prediction: England 3-2 Sweden
How to watch England vs Sweden: Live stream, TV channel
All of the Women's Euros matches will be broadcast live on the BBC and ITV. England versus Sweden will take place on Thursday, July 17 at 8 p.m. BST. It is available to watch on ITV 1 and stream via ITV X.