Geneva, Switzerland – The reigning champions England have once again demonstrated their remarkable resilience, overcoming a formidable Italian side in a nail-biting UEFA Women's EURO 2025 semi-final that went to extra time. The Lionesses secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory, booking their place in Sunday's final where they will face the winner of the Germany vs. Spain clash.
The Stade de Genève bore witness to a captivating encounter that saw both teams push each other to their limits. Italy, making their first semi-final appearance in 28 years, showed no signs of being overawed by the occasion or their highly-fancied opponents.
The Azzurre started brightly, and their early efforts were rewarded in the 33rd minute when Barbara Bonansea found the back of the net, giving Italy a crucial lead and sending a ripple of concern through the English ranks. England, known for their ability to fight back, found themselves in a familiar position, needing to dig deep after conceding first.
As the clock ticked down in the second half, it seemed Italy were on the cusp of a historic upset. However, England's never-say-die attitude shone through. In dramatic fashion, teenage sensation Michelle Agyemang delivered a lifeline for the Lionesses, scoring a crucial equalizer in the sixth minute of added time to force the match into extra time. It was a moment of pure relief and exhilaration for England fans, and a devastating blow for Italy.
The additional 30 minutes provided even more drama. Both teams battled fiercely, with neither willing to yield. Just when penalties seemed inevitable, England found their winner in the 119th minute. A controversial penalty decision went England's way, and while Chloe Kelly's initial spot-kick was saved by the Italian goalkeeper Laura Giuliani, Kelly showed incredible composure to follow up on the rebound and slot the ball home.
The goal, coming so late in the game, was a dagger to the heart of the Italian squad, who had fought valiantly throughout. England's celebrations were a mixture of elation and exhaustion, a testament to the arduous battle they had just endured.
Speaking after the match, England's head coach Sarina Wiegman acknowledged the tough challenge posed by Italy. "It was incredibly competitive," she stated. "Italy played exceptionally well, and we had to be at our very best to win this game. We showed great character to come back twice."
Italy's captain, Cristiana Girelli, expressed her team's disappointment but also immense pride in their performance. "We gave everything," she said. "We suffered, but we fought until the end. It's heartbreaking, but we've shown what we are capable of."
England will now look to defend their European title in the final on Sunday, a testament to their unwavering determination and ability to perform under pressure. For Italy, while the defeat stings, their impressive run to the semi-finals marks a significant step forward for women's football in the country, proving they are a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.