Hampton’s Unusual Gunfight Variance: Why the UK Required a Game-Changing Super Sub

Zurich – The entire England squad rushed to celebrate with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton after a thrilling moment where Smira Holmberg missed a crucial penalty. Manager Sarina Wiegman remained near the sidelines, excitedly embracing her assistant Arjean Veering. Shortly after, a bloodied Hampton—who had sustained a nose injury from an earlier collision—found herself buried under a pile of jubilant teammates.

“It was tough,” Wiegman reflected later. “This was one of the hardest games I’ve ever experienced. It was incredibly emotional. I had to leave the area four or five times during the match.”

Throughout much of the game, England struggled against a dominant Sweden side. After falling behind 2-0 in the first 25 minutes, England’s defense appeared shaky and disorganized, with poor midfield performance and sloppy passing. They were fortunate to maintain their position at halftime thanks to a remarkable save by Hampton against Fridrina Rolf.

Sweden seemed in total control, showcasing effective tactics that mirrored France’s earlier submission of England in the tournament. With mounting frustration evident in the crowd, it was clear changes were necessary. England had experienced similar challenges in the past.

In 2022, the introduction of Ella Toone and Alessia Russo from the bench shifted the momentum in their favor on the road to the title. At the 2023 World Cup, Wiegman applied a 3-5-2 strategy for the first time, leading them to the finals. Just 103 seconds after the tactical changes, the power shifted back to England.

England introduced Beth Mead, Michelle Aggieman, and Esme Morgan in the 70th minute, and Chloe Kelly followed shortly after, making an immediate impact. In the 79th minute, Kelly provided a perfectly timed cross that found a lurking forward, and just two minutes later, she was involved again.

Believing they had regained the momentum necessary for a victory, England couldn’t complete the comeback in regulation time, as Russo’s shot was thwarted. Extra time loomed, with Sweden gaining ground as England’s captain Leah Williamson exited due to injury. Yet, the Lionesses found themselves in a penalty shootout.

While penalty shootouts are a harsh method for determining a match’s outcome, this particular one was chaotic, with both teams putting forth their best efforts. During a tense moment, nine penalties were dramatically saved, and Sweden had two critical chances to clinch the victory. Goalkeeper Jennifer Falk’s shot hit the crossbar, while in sudden death, Sofia Jacobson’s attempt was denied by the post.

Then, as the defining moment approached, Bronze stepped up for the decisive penalty, striking it straight down the middle. This marked her resurgence in her seventh major tournament. The excitement escalated when Holmberg missed her penalty attempt, soaring it into the night sky.

Sweden appeared to be the stronger team and should have secured the win, making this missed opportunity significant. The Lionesses showed determination, a hallmark of “proper England” football—a performance filled with grit and an unwavering resolve, largely embodied by Hampton.

Prior to the tournament, the Chelsea goalkeeper had faced criticism following the shocking retirement of Mary Earps, which placed her under scrutiny. Yet she remained composed, revealing a vulnerable side typical of goalkeepers heading into their first major tournament.

On Thursday night in Zurich, every English supporter was grateful for her presence.

Throughout regular time, her multiple saves kept England in the game, and by the penultimate shootout moment, she had already been forced to change out of a bloodied kit due to a collision with teammate Alex Greenwood, all while enduring a challenging match.

play

England fans celebrate penalty shootout victory vs Sweden

Boxpark Wembley fans watch as England advances in the Women’s European Championships.

Thanks to Hampton’s outstanding performance, England managed to pull off a victory that seemed almost impossible. “The fans were cheering nonstop,” she said afterwards. “It gives you that extra push to dive a little further, and I truly appreciated their support.”

The UK celebrates, but work remains ahead of their match against Italy. Until the substitutions, Sweden had been in control, and England’s defense appeared shaky. Every pass was mired in unpredictability, and the Lionesses struggled to find their offensive rhythm.

Ultimately, England became the first team to advance from the Euro Knockout stage by overcoming a two-goal deficit. This victory was attributed to Hampton, Wiegman’s strategic decisions, a bit of luck, and the power of self-belief.

Notably, this squad has demonstrated a remarkable ability to turn matches in their favor, though the analysis of their performance raises concerns. They are currently waiting for updates on Williamson’s ankle injury, which forced her departure during extra time, leading Wiegman to consider reshuffling her tactics.

However, that can wait. For now, England can revel in this hard-earned victory. They can count themselves fortunate.