England edge Sweden on penalties: Hannah Hampton's heroics, Lucy Bronze’s late show, and Sarina Wiegman’s gamble send Lionesses to Euro 2025 semi-finals
A game that had everything - tension, tactical errors, penalty drama, and just enough individual brilliance to cover over some real cracks - saw England scrape past Sweden to book a place in the 2025 Women’s Euro semi-finals.
A 2-2 draw after extra time was followed by a chaotic 3-2 win on penalties. Sarina Wiegman’s side somehow survived.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s deputy content editor, Nicole Powell, takes us through five major talking points from the Lionesses' dramatic win.
England news: Lionesses must beat the Netherlands to keep Euro dreams alive
England began their Euro 2025 defence in far from convincing fashion, suffering a 2-1 loss to France in Zurich.
It marked the first time a reigning European champion has lost their opener, and the damage was all too clear.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s deputy content editor Nicole Powell reflects on the loss, and what the Lionesses need to address ahead of their test against the Netherlands.
Fatigue fears for Chelsea as England’s World Cup hopes rest on former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel
By beating ES Tunis 3-0 in their final FIFA Club World Cup Group stage game, Chelsea qualified for the Round of 16, where they will face Spanish side, Benfica.
With the competition only set to get more difficult as the rounds progress, there are concerns over the fitness and wellbeing of the players.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s deputy content editor Nicole Powell explores the mounting fixture pressure after a former footballer voiced concern over Chelsea’s intense schedule - a challenge that could also affect England’s World Cup ambitions, given the strong link between club and country.
Georgia Stanway reveals Lionesses are helping fund family travel for Euro 2025
As England gear up to defend their European crown in Switzerland, key members of the squad have revealed they’re dipping into their own pockets to ensure loved ones can be part of the journey.
Speaking ahead of Euro 2025, midfielder Georgia Stanway opened up about the financial strain of supporting friends and family during what’s expected to be one of the most expensive tournaments yet - and how the Lionesses are stepping in to ease the pressure.
Emma Hayes backs England’s ‘great potential’ ahead of Euro 2025
Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has tipped England as one of the top contenders for Euro 2025, calling the Lionesses a team with “great potential” despite recent turbulence.
Alessia Russo responds to online abuse ahead of Euro 2025
Alessia Russo has hit back at rising levels of online abuse targeting her and her England team-mates in the build-up to Euro 2025.
England’s 2025 Euro squad: Can the Lionesses retain their crown?
Sarina Wiegman’s 23-player squad to defend England's Euro crown has been finalised. With the tournament kicking off in just under a month, it’s time to evaluate not just who’s there - but how they might perform in Switzerland.
Chelsea captain Millie Bright withdraws ahead of Euro 2025 squad selection
Millie Bright, a central figure in the Lionesses' defence, has officially withdrawn from the national team ahead of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 tournament.
Coming off of a successful club campaign where she captained Chelsea to a domestic treble, the 31-year-old defender cited physical and mental exhaustion as the primary reasons for her decision, emphasising her current inability to perform at the highest level required for international competition.
England news: Football legend Fran Kirby retires from international football ahead of England’s Euros title defence
Football legend, Francesca Kirby, has closed the curtains on an illustrious international career for England.
Fran Kirby’s announcement comes not even a week after another announcement shocked the football world - Mary Earp’s own retirement from international football.
The Brighton midfielder made the shock announcement ahead of England's Euro 2025 campaign, and before Sarina Wiegman could even name her squad for the tournament - the 23 players will be revealed on Thursday, June 5.
England news: Mary Earps announces retirement from international football ahead of Lionesses Euros title defence
Mary Earps, the commanding presence between the posts for England, has announced her retirement from international football, just five weeks before the Lionesses begin their European Championship defence in Switzerland.
England news: What Thomas Tuchel’s first two games have told us about the squad
The first international break of the Thomas Tuchel reign has been a successful one for England, beating Albania and Latvia to begin their World Cup Qualifying campaign.
Despite still being in the early stages of the Tuchel era, there are plenty of talking points about the squad selection going forward, with some players exceeding expectations.
Sports News Blitz writer Dylan Richardson has identified five of the key areas of discussion following the German’s first two games in charge of the Three Lions.
England analysis: Thomas Tuchel tactical overview and predicted line-up vs Albania
The first international break of 2025 comes with excitement for England fans as new manager Thomas Tuchel takes the team for the first time.
England’s World Cup Qualifying campaign begins on Friday night when the Three Lions take on Albania at Wembley.
The team then have a short turnaround for the next game, facing Latvia on Monday also at Wembley - so Tuchel will have to utilise his whole squad over the international break.
Even though predicting the first XI Tuchel will pick, Sports News Blitz writer Dylan Richardson has given it his best shot.
England Women face crucial test against Portugal in Nations League
As the clock ticks down to England's UEFA Women's Nations League opener against Portugal tonight - Friday, February 21 - the Lionesses find themselves at a pivotal point.
After a year marked by inconsistent performances and key player injuries, this match isn't just about points - it's about setting the tone for their European title defence this summer.
England news: Harry Kane calls out club priorities as nine players withdraw from squad
England captain Harry Kane has voiced frustration over a growing trend of players prioritising club commitments over international duty.
Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo delves into the implications of these absences as the Three Lions look to secure promotion to League A, questioning if loyalty to the national team is starting to wane in modern football.
England analysis and opinion: Thomas Tuchel appointment divides Three Lions fans
In a surprising twist, the England national team has announced Thomas Tuchel as its new head coach.
Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo focuses on the concerns and criticisms surrounding his appointment.
England news: Thomas Tuchel targets World Cup glory after taking reins for Three Lions
Thomas Tuchel admitted ‘the target is to win the World Cup’ after officially taking the reins as England manager in a role that starts on January 1, 2025.
Sports News Blitz takes a detailed look at former Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel's incredible career so far.
England v Greece analysis: Five Three Lions players looking to shine
England have two matches in their Group B Nations League campaign with a home tie against Greece on Thursday and a trip to Finland on Sunday.
There will be many looking to show what they’re made of against Greece - and Sports News Blitz’s Jon Shea has picked out just five who will be keen to impress.
England news: Lee Carsley pours praise on goal-scorers Rice and Grealish
Interim England manager Lee Carsley lauded goal-scoring duo Declan Rice and Jack Grealish for the way they handled a hostile atmosphere in Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Nations League analysis: Five key battles in Republic of Ireland vs England clash
The Republic of Ireland are set to host arch rivals England in Dublin this weekend as the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League gets underway.
Sports News Blitz’s Michael Davey considers five key aspects of Saturday’s Nations League match at the Aviva.
Roy Hodgson leads tributes to former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson
Former England manager Roy Hodgson says Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has died at the age of 76 following a long illness, had the ‘golden touch when it came to man management’.