ENGLAND 2-1 ITALY AET: The Lionesses were seconds away from their Euro 2025 campaign coming to an end, before a last-gasp equaliser and a penalty in extra time
England’s Lionesses have reached their third major tournament final in a row after a dramatic victory over Italy in the Euro 2025 semi-final in Geneva.
Sarina Wiegman’s side were seconds away from their defence coming to an end in the last four, before Michelle Agyemang scored an injury-time equaliser to take the game into extra time. And with penalties looming, England were awarded a penalty, with Chloe Kelly seeing her effort from the spot saved, before rifling home the rebound.
It means England will now face the winner of Spain vs Germany in Sunday’s final for the chance to b crowned European champions again.
England finished strongly in their sensational quarter-final against Sweden but couldn’t keep the momentum going in the early stages against Italy with another final in their grasp. It might have been tiredness in their legs, or it might have been tension given the high-pressure game, but things didn’t immediately fall into place.
Sarina Wiegman made just one change from the team which started against Sweden, with Esme Morgan replacing Jess Carter at centre-back. Leah Williamson recovered from a rolled ankle in time to start, playing to the right of Morgan. Italy opted to push Sofia Cantore into a more advanced role in direct opposition with her Washington Spirit colleague Morgan
The defences were solid enough early on, but neither team appeared ready to take too many risks. Alessia Russo had a half-chance 20 minutes in, but it was the underdogs who took the lead just after the half hour mark.
England couldn’t deal with some neat interplay down the right, and – after Lucy Bronze could only half-clear a cross – Barbara Bonansea took a touch to set herself and rifled the ball into the back of Hannah Hampton’s net. England didn’t let their heads drop, with Lauren James forcing a sharp diving stop from Laura Giuliani with an effort from the edge of the box, but James looked to be in pain moments before that chance, though and didn’t re-emerge for the second half.
England came out firing after the break, attacking down the flanks while aiming to fend off Italy counters. Keira Walsh looked the most likely of England’s players to make something happen, remaining calm on the ball when others sometimes panicked, but there was still a little lacking when it came to the crunch.
Italy were desperately close to wrapping up victory five minutes from time, only for Hampton to save England with a double stop as Emma Savarini’s looked certain to score. In one final throw of the dice, Wiegman turned to young strikers Michelle Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones, and the breakthrough came right at the death.
Giuliani had been brilliant for 90 minutes, but gave England half an opening when she couldn’t gather a cross from the right. Agyemang still had work to do, and easily could have panicked, but the teenager had the coolest head in Stade de Geneve as she rifled the ball low into the back of the net.
England had chances to win it in extra-time, with Giuliani almost gifting the Lionesses a goal after making a hash of a cross and substitute Chloe Kelly firing wide after a jinking run into the box. Kelly then almost scored in the most unlikely circumstances, sending in a corner which almost crept inside the back post, only for Giuliani to touch it behind.
Agyemang went even closer with just four minutes left on the clock, lifting the ball over Giuliani but seeing it bounce back off the crossbar. Moments later, though, England had a penalty as Beth Mead went down in the box.
Kelly stepped up confidently only for Giuliani to save. But she got to the rebound first and turned it home.
If the quarter-final was dramatic, this one may be even more memorable. Sunday’s final could top them all.
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