England’s opponents in the semi-finals will be decided on Friday in Leigh in the penultimate quarter-final between Sweden and Belgium.
The highest ranked team in the tournament, Sweden, have grown strongly in the competition. They were held in the first game against the Dutch, before getting past Switzerland and thumping Portugal.
Their WSL spine has shaped a well-organised side. Chelsea’s Magdalena Eriksson, Manchester City’s Filippa Angeldahl, and Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius have all looked solid, whilst Everton’s 19-year-old Hanna Bennison scored an impressive winner against Switzerland from outside the area.
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They become another team to be dealt a Covid-related team news blow, though, as starting right-back Hanna Glas tested positive on Wednesday. Leading left-back Jonna Andersson also missed training on the same day due to mild illness symptoms, but an official diagnosis for the Chelsea player has not yet been confirmed.
They have a favourable tie, however; Belgium are the lowest ranked out of the eight and historically reached their first quarter-finals of a major tournament after beating Italy in the final group stage game. Tina De Caigny scored a long-range strike to seal it.
They may be able to take advantage of the forced changes in the Swedish defence, though. Lyon winger Janice Cayman is a star player for Belgium. She is their highest capped player and has won the Golden Boot for being their best female player twice, and has begun the tournament well, scoring against France in the second group game.
They were largely dominated by France that game and lost 3-0 to England in a warm-up game. With some in the squad not playing at a professional club level, it would be a fairy tale result should they progress.
