Topics: UEFA Women's Euro, Sweden, Belgium
The Blagut left it late to snatch the win against the Belgians in Friday night's quarter-final encounter.

Sweden booked their spot in the semi-finals of this year's UEFA Women's European Championship with a narrow 1-0 victory against Belgium on Friday night. Peter Gerhardsson's ladies stood their ground and scored a last-gasp winner to seal their fate and move another step closer to winning the ultimate gong.

Having progressed as Group C winners ahead of the Netherlands on goal difference, Sweden were paired with Belgium who also finished as runners-up in Group D of the tournament. The former, who entered the the night's encounter as favorites, put in quite a show, dominating proceeding right from kick-off. However, despite persistently knocking on the door of the Red Flames, they could not find the back of the net.

There was almost a general acceptance inside the Leigh Sports Village that the game was headed for exta-time after Sweden failed to manage a goal from 31 efforts on goal and 13 corners. However, the 32nd attempt, which came inside the 92nd minute proved to be vital, breaking the hearts of the Belgian team and their fans and it proved to be enough to take the Blagut through to the next round of the tournament. Linda Sembrant was the heroine, smashing the ball into the net from close range after it was parried into her path by goalkeeper Nicky Evrard.

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With the result, Sweden will take on England at Bramall Lane in Sheffield on Tuesday for the first game of the semi-finals. Both sides will fancy their chances although the former seem to have the upper-hand despite having the odds against them. They will enter next week's encounter with a three-game unbeaten run against the Lionesses, with their last defeat coming as far back as August 2014.