Italy already looked like the safe European Championship finalist. But again England turned the game at the last second and moved into the European Championship final with a 2-1 win after extra time.
Barbara Bonansea scored the goals in the regular playing time of 90 minutes in the 33rd minute for Italy and England’s joker player Michalle Agyemang (90th+6). In the extension, Chloe Kelly converted a penalty to the decisive goal (117th).
“It’s wonderful”
England is the first finalist and will meet the winner of the second semi-final game between Spain and Germany in the final. “It’s just wonderful,” the Sieg goalor beamed after the game. “We have proven incredible resistance again and will continue to work hard. So that we can then show everyone in the final”said Kelly.
Italy’s coach Andrea Soncin almost lacked the words: “It is difficult, I don’t know what to say. All players fought scary and really wanted to go to the final. I think we should be proud despite the defeat.”
Both teams with the same play area
However, everything started extremely slow: England likes the counter game. If you let the more player opponent come and switch quickly when winning the ball. This is Wiegman-Style, the way of playing under trainer Sarina Wiegman. Problem only: Italy had the same plan – England left the game, lurking on counterattacks.
It went down to business.
What will become of something like that? A rather tough event in the increasingly cloudy geneva. A cautious scan – rather moderately amusing for the spectators in the sold -out arena. Goal opportunities remained in short supply. Until the 20th minute. Then England’s Alessia Russo fell the ball after an Italian defensive error in the sixteen in front of her feet – her shot from 13 meters just slipped by.
Italy counters and takes the lead
England did not seem to feel comfortable in his role. A like Lauren James – usually a difference – did not find in the match at all. And in reverse gear, the English women – that was to be seen from time to time – sometimes slippery. So in the 31st minute, when Italy suddenly had outnumbered after a midfield splate over the right. The flank from the broken Sofia Cantore found on the second post Bonansea, which took the ball technically finely and with the next movement slammed to 1-0 under the crossbar. Italy was suddenly in front.
But of course: the English women can resolve – they just have to put their tactical bonds. Sweden, who was still in the quarter-finals despite a 2-0 lead against the Lionesses, can sing a song about it. What else would come to the Italians was indicated in the last five minutes before the half -time whistle. England accelerated: fought, dribbled, flanked, shot. However, until the break without yield.
James out early, England accelerates
Wiegman had already seen enough – at least as for James. She changed, brought Beth Mead instead in the second section. There was momentum. Lauren Hemp missed twice: first by the head (49th), then with a right -hand shot in the sixteen (52nd). Keira Walsh moved into a long -range shot (56th), the attempt by Georgia Stanway was blocked (57th).
Alessia Russo – little scope forward.
The “Azzurre”, as Italy’s team is called, wavered. But it didn’t fell. It was the enormous defensive discipline that this team, which is certainly limited in the game forward, brought the tournament so far – all experts agreed.
Slide standards, only the “super joker” hits
The English did not get through play. The greatest danger arose after standard situations. Two corner balls from Walsh found Lucy Bronze on the second post – somehow the Italians still got a foot in between.
They still had to survive seven minutes of injury time. And then, indeed, the last minute English struck again. A cross from the right let Keeperein Laura Giuliani hit and Agyemang was ready again, who drog the rebound from twelve meters to 1-1 (90.+6).
No more strength – Kelly meets in the extension
The Englishers had saved themselves again. Where you had the decision several times. Kelly failed after a nice solo, Hemp was expelled from a half -left position. Agyemang, who fled the ball from a half -right position to the crossbar (116.), had the greatest chance. Seconds later, referee Ivana Martinčić pointed to the penalty point. Severini had torn Beth Mead to the ground. Kelly failed in the first attempt at Giuliani, but put the ball over the line in the replacement. It was 2-1 and England had done it.
In the end, the Englishers simply had more strength and are in the final. This will take place on Sunday (July 27, 2025) from 6 p.m. in St. Jakob Park in Basel.