England produced yet more late drama at Euro 2025 as they kept their hopes of back-to-back European Championship successes alive with a spectacular 2-1 semi-final victory over Italy after extra-time.
The Lionesses looked to be heading for the exit door after Barbara Bonansea’s 33rd-minute goal, as Sarina Wiegman’s side struggled to break down Italy’s stubborn defence.
However, Wiegman’s super subs struck again!
Michelle Agyemang, just as she did against Sweden in the quarter-finals, struck in the sixth of seven minutes of added time to rescue England and send the game into extra-time.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Then, with penalties looming, Chloe Kelly had the chance to send England to a third straight major tournament final from the penalty spot after Beth Mead was bundled over by Emma Severini in the penalty area.
In pure Lionesses fashion, even this wasn’t straightforward as goalkeeper Laura Giuliani saved Kelly’s initial penalty, but the Arsenal forward stayed cool to emphatically bury the rebound as England booked their place in Sunday’s final where they will face either Spain or Germany.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
How England fought back again to reach final…
England, who made one change from the quarter-finals with Esme Morgan replacing Jess Carter in defence, made a positive start with Lauren Hemp key in the early stages. Her early cross found Lauren James, but the Chelsea forward’s shot was straight at goalkeeper Laura Giuliani.
Alessia Russo then had a chance to fire England in front, bringing down a ball that Italy had let bounce in their 18-yard box, but flashed wide. It was an opportunity England would rue when Bonansea netted the opener, capitalising on England’s lack of cutting edge and defensive frailty.
England had a number of chances to clear but Arianna Caruso’s shot found its way to Bonansea, who had time to pick her spot and power home a rising effort past a helpless Hannah Hampton.
It left England with plenty of work to do and not for the first time in this tournament.
Wiegman was forced into a change at the break with James re-emerging from the interval sporting an ice pack around her ankle. She was replaced by Beth Mead but there was no initial change in fortune for England.
Hampton was called into action to deny Cantore and though a frustrated England applied more pressure in the second half, they still lacked the clinical edge they needed to find an equaliser.
Kelly arrived on the scene in the 77th minute before Bronze had a header cleared off the line, and, with five minutes remaining, Wiegman turned to her young guns, replacing Leah Williamson and Russo with Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
It paid off deep into stoppage time when – just as it looked like England had run out of ideas – Agyemang popped up to draw the sides level.
The momentum was with England now and Agyemang hit the bar with a deft lob from a cute angle in the second period of added time.
Another shoot-out was beginning to loom but England had the chance to close out the contest with a penalty when Mead was tugged down by Severini.
Up stepped Kelly, who memorably scored the extra-time winner in the Euros final at Wembley three summers ago. Giuliani made the initial stop but the Arsenal forward was not to be denied, burying the rebound to book England’s trip to Sunday’s final in Basel.
Kelly: Lionesses want more success
England match winner Chloe Kelly to ITV:
“Unbelievable, such a great feeling.
“This team deserved nothing but that. Three finals on the bounce and we want more, this is an unbelievable feeling.
“It weren’t supposed to go like that, that penalty, but I was ready for the rebound and ready for any opportunity given to me wearing an England badge.
“I was confident but obviously the keeper had done her homework. Luckily I got there for the tap-in.”
On fellow substitute Agyemang, Kelly added: “Big Mich at it again.
“She’s unbelievable and she should have scored again: that one that hit the crossbar.
“She’s an unbelievable player and she’s got the world at her feet, a young player with a bright future and I’m absolutely buzzing for her.
“But this team shows resilience again and we fight back. Hopefully we can make it a little bit easier for ourselves – we don’t need that panic.”
When’s the Euro 2025 final?
England are into yet another major final.
They will take on either Spain or Germany, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday, in Sunday’s final in Basel; kick-off 5pm.
.jpg?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1)
