The image of Terry Butcher’s blood-stained shirt during an England draw against Sweden in 1989 is immortalised in the country’s football history. Now another English player’s stoic display against Sweden – this time with a bloodied nose – will be etched into the annals after Hannah Hampton’s heroics during the Lionesses’ remarkable shootout victory over Sweden in Zurich.
Hampton, with an absorbent shoved up her right nostril after an extra-time collision in the penalty area caused a nosebleed, found the composure, focus and agility to save two Sweden penalties to help Sarina Wiegman’s team win 3-2 in the shootout and book Tuesday’s semi-final meeting with Italy after an unlikely comeback to draw 2-2 after extra time.
