Now in her seventh major tournament with England, the defender has seen it all - so how does she keep going, mentally and physically?

England footballer Lucy Bronze always had the "eye of the tiger" with her determination to succeed, one of her early coaches has said. The 33-year will line-up against Italy later in the semi-finals of the Women's Euro 2025 tournament having helped her country come back from two goals behind in the previous round.

The Chelsea defender grabbed the quarter-final win over Sweden by the scruff of the neck and will be vital again in Tuesday's clash with Italy

She strode from the centre circle, ripped off the strapping that tied up her socks and tossed it aside. She pulled her hair back and fixed it in place. There was no fear, merely defiance.

England defender Lucy Bronze said the growth of women's football had led to an increase in racist abuse towards players as the game draws more and more fans and the spotlight is amplified.

England beat Sweden in the quarter-finals of Euro 2205 on Thursday; Lucy Bronze was key in the Lionesses comeback, scoring a goal and during the penalty shoot-out; she used all of her experience and quality to guide England to victory;

The UEFA Women's EURO 2025 semi-finals match England with Italy in Geneva on Tuesday before Germany face Spain in Zurich the following night. We look at four players who could be key to their teams earning a place in the Basel final.

Bronze, in her seventh major tournament, was exceptional for England as she helped them battle back from 2-0 down to force a penalty shootout. England were staring at an early exit from Euro 2025 with Sweden in control of the game until Wiegman made a flurry of substitutions around the 70-minute mark.

Tweed, scored a goal and a crucial penalty in England's quarter-final victory over Sweden at the Women's Euros. | ITV News Tyne Tees

Having grown up on Lindisfarne, Lucy Bronze has gone on to collect nearly every accolade possible in women's football and she's ready to do it all again in Switzerland

England heroine Lucy Bronze said it was "grit, determination and hard work" that pushed the team to win their UEFA Women's quarter-final against Sweden, as her teammates and coach paid tribute to her action-packed performance.