The first really heavy blows for Sweden came right at the beginning of the second half when England, who had to carry the favorites in front, scored 2-0.
England took a corner which Lucy Bronze bounced into the goal past all the players in the box - including a tunnel on Linda Sembrandt - and into the net behind an obscured Hedvig Lindahl.
After that, national team captain Gerhardsson made three changes: Caroline Seger, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Jonna Andersson in, Filippa Angeldahl, Sofia Jakobsson and Amanda Ilestedt out.
And there still lived a hope of turning the game around.
"England gets the match exactly where you want it"
But England also made a substitution that would prove decisive.
In for Ellen White came just like before Alessia Russo and offered the delicacy of the evening when she heeled her own return between the legs of Hedvig Lindahl.
The next cold shower came eight minutes later when Chelsea star Fran Kirby was free with the ball a bit outside the penalty area and went on a hard chip that Lindahl was on with his hand, but which still landed in the net behind the Swedish goalkeeper.
- England get the match exactly where they want, you already get that with the 2-0 goal where Sweden is forced to open up in their pursuit of a goal.
Which England makes the best use of with good goals and nice combinations, says SVT's expert Daniel Nannskog.
Not just about the goalkeeping effort
He does not think Lindahl should bear all the blame for the goals in the second half.
- It is easy to hang Lindahl out for both of the last goals.
At the same time, it is also a weak defensive game that causes England to get into the situations they do.
But of course I want Lindahl to be able to stop both goals.
For England, either Germany or France await in the final at Wembley on Sunday, they play their semi-final tomorrow which will be broadcast on SVT1 20:00-23:30 (match kick-off 21:00).