England’s Lionesses are preparing to take part in their second major semi-final in as many years when they meet co-hosts Australia on Wednesday in the last four of the Women’s World Cup.
Sarina Wiegman and her players have found consistency an issue in this tournament after their success last summer at Euro 2022, but they always say the best teams find a way to win even when not at their best and here they are one game away from the World Cup final.
Over the years, England’s men’s and women’s team have had some memorable semi-finals for good and bad. This is how they’ve got on.
1966 - 2-1 win v Portugal (Men’s World Cup)
Sir Bobby Charlton’s brace against Portugal fired England into their first World Cup final, and we all know how that match transpired.
1968 - 0-1 loss v Yugoslavia (Men’s European Championship)
Two years after their World Cup triumph, England couldn’t make it to successive finals as Dragan Dzajic won the game for Yugoslavia in the closing stages.
1990 - 1-1 draw v West Germany - lost 3-4 on pens (Men’s World Cup)
Italia ‘90 gave Three Lions fans hope that they might just see their team enjoy success like in 1966. Gary Lineker’s equaliser in the 80th minute took the game to extra time but penalties were required and misses from Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle saw England hearts broken.
1995 - 2-6 aggregate loss v Germany (Women’s European Championship)
The Lionesses made history in 1995 as they made it to their first major semi-final at Euro 1995. Back then, the semi-final format required two legs and in both they were bested by Germany, who went on to win the tournament. England lost the first leg 4-1 and 2-1 in the second leg. Karen Farley was the scorer in both defeats.
1996 - 1-1 draw v Germany - lost 5-6 on pens (Men’s European Championship)
In 1996 there was more semi-final and penalty heartache for the country to endure, this time on home soil. Alan Shearer opened the scoring early on, but his goal was quickly cancelled out by Stefan Kuntz. Gareth Southgate missed the crucial spot-kick which ended England’s chances of another fairytale story on home soil.
2009 - 2-1 win v Netherlands (Women’s European Championship)
Jill Scott was England’s hero in extra time in Finland as the midfielder fired the Lionesses into their first major final, after Kelly Smith’s opener had been cancelled out by Marlous Pieete.
2015 - 1-2 loss v Japan (Women’s World Cup)
In Edmonton in 2015, Fara Williams’ penalty just before half-time was a fine response to Aya Miyama’s earlier spot-kick and there was very little to separate the two teams. With the clock winding down, England’s hearts were broken as Laura Bassett’s attempt to cut out a cross took the ball past goalkeeper Karen Bardsley. The curse continued.
2017 - 0-3 loss v Netherlands (Women’s European Championship)
Before Sarina Wiegman was in charge of the Lionesses, she was leading her native Netherlands, who were the hosts at Euro 2017. They were the toughest opponents England could get and it showed when they were beaten comfortably as Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk were on the scoresheet, with Mille Bright scoring an own goal.
2018 - 1-2 loss v Croatia (Men’s World Cup)
England defied the odds to reach the semi-finals in 2018 and when Kieran Trippier’s free-kick fired England ahead, there was a sense that the Three Lions might just be on for something magical. But as usual the bubble quickly burst. Ivan Perisic levelled the tie in the second half and veteran forward Mario Mandzukic snatched it for Croatia in extra time.
2019 - 1-2 loss v USA (Women’s World Cup)
Four years after their agony in Canada, England headed to France under the stewardship of Phil Neville but fell at the same stage to reigning champions the USA. Christen Press fired the States in front inside 10 minutes but Ellen White was on hand to equalise not long after. USA regained their lead through Alex Morgan before half-time, and a White disallowed goal and missed penalty from Steph Houghton left the Lionesses just short.
2021 - 2-1 win v Denmark (AET) (Men’s European Championship)
England had many of their delayed Euro 2020 games on home soil, but in the semis they faced a Denmark side who had been united following the collapse earlier in the tournament of Christian Eriksen. Mikkel Damsgaard’s stunning free-kick put the Danes ahead before Simon Kjaer turned the ball into his own net just minutes later. Harry Kane was England’s hero on the day as he netted the winner early in extra time at a bouncing Wembley Stadiu.
2022 - 4-0 win v Sweden (Women’s European Championship)
The Lionesses were absolutely ruthless at Bramall Lane as they fired their way to the Euro 2022 final. Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby were all on the scoresheet to set England up for their historic final triumph against Germany inside Wembley Stadium, with Russo’s spectacular back-heeled goal being one of the moments of the summer.
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