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Arsenal’s Beth Mead strikes again as Lionesses reach Euros final

By James Cormack

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Beth Mead of England celebrates with teammates Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly and Ellen White after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Semi Final match between England and Sweden at Bramall Lane on July 26, 2022 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Beth Mead of England celebrates with teammates Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly and Ellen White after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Semi Final match between England and Sweden at Bramall Lane on July 26, 2022 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s Beth Mead opened the scoring as the Lionesses reached the final of the European Championships following a 4-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday night. 

After breezing through the group stage, England endured a tough test in the quarter-final against Spain and they were forced to come from behind to advance – which they did thanks to goals from Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway.

Sweden, the highest-ranked side in the competition, awaited in the last four but they were brushed aside by the rampant Lionesses.

Arsenal’s Beth Mead strikes again as Lionesses reach Euros final

It was the Swedes who made the brighter start, however, and England would’ve been a goal down in the opening minute if it wasn’t for the brilliant Mary Earps between the sticks.

Then, against the run of play, Mead struck. An excellent first touch to bring down a Lucy Bronze cross was quickly followed by a decisive finish to open the scoring ten minutes before half-time.

It was the Arsenal star’s sixth goal of the competition as she stretched her lead over Germany’s Alexandra Popp at the top of the scoring charts. Mead wasn’t done there, however. At the start of the second half, Bronze latched onto the winger’s inswinging corner to double England’s lead.

Mead also notched the assist for England’s fourth as Fran Kirby cheekily chipped Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindhaul to compound her misery. However, there’s no doubting that the moment of the semi-final was Alessia Russo’s backheel finish to treble the Lionesses lead midway through the second half.

After her initial shot was saved, Russo latched onto the rebound and caught Lindhaul completely off guard with the most audacious of improvised efforts. I think we’ve got a Puskas contender, folks.

Kirby’s strike rounded off the perfect night for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who’ll face either France or Germany in Sunday’s final at Wembley.

Arsenal tandem Mead and Leah Williamson are sure bets to start Sunday’s final, with the latter poised to lead her country out at Wembley. The England skipper has been sensational throughout the tournament, and she was exemplary once more on Tuesday.

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