Not for the first time at Euro 2022, the expectations surrounding Belgium proved to be far from reality. Sweden boasted the pedigree, experience and talent to supposedly sweep a side competing in a quarter-final for the first time in their history, but needed a 92nd-minute winner, who rushed home from ‘a corner, to book a semi-final date with England. and quench the dreams of the Red Flames.
Defender Linda Sembrant grabbed the dramatic final victory after Belgian goalkeeper and star of the show Nicky Evrard had looked to deny Sweden yet again. When Kosovare Asllani’s corner fell to the unmarked Nathalie Björn at the back post, it continued a night of frustration in front of goal as Evrard saved low from the Swedish midfielder. The rebound broke kindly for Sembrant, however, who found the roof of the net to bring Belgium’s players to their knees. Sweden deserved the win, but there was little in this performance for England to worry about.
Covid-19 cost Sweden the two full-backs who started in the 5-0 win over Portugal, Hanna Glas and Jonna Andersson, resulting in a European debut for Amanda Nilden and a first exit of the tournament for to Linda Sembrant. The break contributed to some uncertainty and vulnerability in the Swedish defence, but they dominated the chances on a rainy night here and created enough clear ones to have established a commanding lead at the interval. His failure to take any drove Gerhardsson to distraction.
Filippa Angeldal was the first to test Nicky Evrard in the Belgium goal after running in from deep before letting fly from 25 yards. Evrard equalized the effort, deflecting it for a corner, and would continue to be an unbeatable obstacle throughout the first half. The Swedish midfielder then fired wastefully from Stina Blackstenius’s pull-back after Belgian right-back Laura Deloose had been dispossessed near the corner flag. Blackstenius looked certain to open the scoring moments later when Evrard saved superbly from Amanda Ilestedt’s header. The ball fell slightly behind the Arsenal striker, who tripped just yards out in front of an open goal and allowed the Belgian goalkeeper to gather at her feet. Gerhardsson, arms outstretched, was stunned at the foul. It would be again when a corner from the captain, Kosovare Asllani, fell in front of Blackstenius two meters out. The forward couldn’t force the ball over Evrard or over the line.
Björn and fellow central midfielder Angeldal also missed decent chances, but Sweden’s frustration in the first half was not just down to their own sloppiness. Eventually, Blackstenius looked set to open the scoring when the influential Asllani finished with a pass that split the defense and beat Evrard with a confident finish. A lengthy VAR review, however, detected a fractional offside.
Belgium was not completely besieged. In Laura De Neve they boasted an assured centre-back who organized the backline impressively and exuded composure under pressure. Ives Serneels’ side also posed a threat of their own with Tessa Wullaert and Tine De Caigny, whose winner against Italy booked Belgium’s place in the last 16, dangerous on the counter-attack. The pair combined to give Justine Vanhaevermaet Belgium’s best chance of the first half, the midfielder drilling a low shot from outside the penalty area.
Sweden remained in control after the break, but it became increasingly difficult to break down a well-organised, compact and disciplined Belgium team. A procession of shots from distance, many deflected or straight at Evrard, showed that patience was being tested in a team that had 22 attempts on goal to Belgium’s two on 70 minutes but could not find a way through. The VAR review of a possible handball by Belgium left-back Davina Philtjens inside her own penalty area also did not meet the Swedish appeals.
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Semi-pro Evrard produced an outstanding performance. The Belgian goalkeeper saved her team once again when Fridolina Rolfo sent a deep free-kick into Blackstenius’s goal, who connected with a powerful header from close range.
Serneels brought on Elena Dhont to inject more pace and purpose into Belgium’s attack and the change should have paid off with 15 minutes remaining when the substitute broke down the right. Sembrant failed to intercept Dhont’s cross to De Caigny and suddenly the striker found himself in space approaching the Swedish box. De Caigny seemed to be in two minds about whether to shoot or cross and ultimately failed to do so either way. Dhont came much closer when he sprinted and headed into the side netting from a tight angle.