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Later celebrations: goalscorer Linda Sembrant (right) and playmaker Kosovare Asllani
Photo: LEE SMITH / REUTERS
Sweden is in the semi-finals of the European Football Championship after beating outsiders Belgium 1-0.
In the quarter-finals, however, the favored Scandinavians struggled for a long time and, despite many chances, rarely came up dangerously in front of the goal.
It wasn't until the second minute of injury time before Linda Sembrant took a corner in front of 7,500 spectators and sent Sweden through to the semi-finals.
Sweden now meets hosts England in the semi-finals in Sheffield on Tuesday (9 p.m., TV: ARD, live ticker: SPIEGEL.DE).
In the first meeting between the teams since 2009, Sweden started aggressively and didn't even let Belgium get into the game.
Filippa Angeldal had the first opportunity, who marched through midfield and simply fired, but failed because of Belgium's strong keeper Nicky Evrard (7th minute).
It was Angedal again just four minutes later, but this time the Manchester City midfielder aimed too high.
After that, the second in the world rankings continued to put the pressure on – and this time the lead should have fallen.
Amanda Ilestedt, who switched from FC Bayern to Paris St. Germain last year, headed in after a cross from the left, but failed again to goalkeeper Evrad (14').
In the 25th minute, the Swedes celebrated for the first time - but in vain.
After a through ball from midfield, Stina Blackstenius marched towards the Belgian goal and converted coolly, but was just offside (25').
Video referee Poaolo Valeri (Italy) intervened, referee Kateryna Monsul from Ukraine canceled the goal.
Belgium fights its way into the game
After just over half an hour, Belgium also dared to break cover in the rain from Leigh, but Justine Vanhaevermaet's shot went wide to the left.
After that, however, the Swedish initial offensive came to a standstill.
The Swedes didn't make enough of their possession, the passes were imprecise, there was a lack of movement up front.
Belgium didn't become dangerous themselves, but increasingly fought their way into the game.
It was 0-0 at the break.
In the second half, the spectators saw the same picture.
Sweden dominated but couldn't get through because the Belgians were all guarding their own penalty area.
The Swedes, who otherwise always looked for depth and played straight forward, had few ideas against these compact Belgians.
A header from Ilestedt (50'), but she was offside, and a slightly too high long-range shot from Angeldal (62'): the big favorites haven't been able to do it for a long time.
The many corners fizzled out without effect.
All attacks fizzle out – until stoppage time
After that it was once again Nicky Evrard who kept Belgium in the game.
Blackstenius headed on goal from close range, but the KAA Gent keeper threw up his arms and deflected the ball wide of the goal (73').
It was the 25th finish for the Swedes at that time.
Otherwise, Sweden didn't get enough, apart from a flick from Kosovare Asllani shortly before the end, there weren't any great chances.
When everyone was expecting extra time, Linda Sembrant struck from a corner in added time.
In the hustle and bustle, the ball landed in front of Sembrant's feet, who brought the ball over the line from a short distance (90 + 2).
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