Jakobsson hat-trick stuns France

Sofia Jakobsson was the heroine for Sweden as they came from behind yet again to beat France in extra time of a dramatic semi-final in Minsk, booking their place in Saturday's showpiece against England.

Remarkable win
Les Bleuettes seemed to be on their way to a sixth UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final when Charlène Sasso volleyed them into a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute, yet this Sweden side never knows when it is beaten. Having come from behind to win their last two group matches, they repeated the feat again as Jakobsson scored for the third match running to equalise on 86 minutes. The momentum suddenly swung toward Calle Barrling's charges, who completed a remarkable success when Jakobsson scored two more goals in extra time – taking her tournament tally to five – and Jennifer Egelryd also nodded in.

Penalty miss
France had dominated possession for long periods yet they were often guilty of trying one pass too many and failed to make their superiority count. Sweden handed them a taster of what was to come by converting their first chance on 24 minutes, Emelie Lövgren arriving unmarked at the far post to volley in Tilda Heimersson's corner. To their credit, the 2003 winners reacted with a spell of concerted pressure, Marina Makanza almost bursting clear before Sasso's swerving drive was tipped over. From the resulting corner, Jean-Michel Degrange's team drew level, Charlotte Bilbault and Sasso cleverly working it short for Fanny Tenret, whose crisp 34th-minute shot left Susanne Nilsson helpless. France should have gone in front two minutes before half-time after Sasso had been felled by Lövgren, but Makanza's penalty hit the post.

Jakobsson reward
Makanza played little further part as Degrange rang the changes after the break, though the pattern remained identical, with blue shirts probing at a dogged Sweden defence until they were eventually rewarded. After Adeline Rousseau had won possession, the ball broke for Sasso whose dipping volley beat Nilsson. That almost proved enough but it was Sweden – champions a decade ago – who had the final say.

Remarkable hat-trick
France had been solid from open play throughout normal time but one lapse allowed Jakobsson in; she touched the ball past goalkeeper Laëtitia Philippe and stroked home. Sweden ran riot in the additional 30 minutes, the Umeå IK striker scoring again in the opening seconds after racing on to Heimersson's ball before Egelryd headed home from a 100th-minute corner. Jakobsson completed France's misery on 107 minutes, prodding in from close range to complete a remarkable hat-trick.