England booked their place in the EURO 2025 final after another late comeback, this time against Italy in the semi-finals.
The semi-final between the Lionesses and Le Azzure looked to be a slight doss. Italy’s 33rd-minute well-taken goal from Barbara Bonansea was the only thing that split the sides in injury time. Until once again, Michelle Agyemang came up trumps in added time. After a saved penalty, Chloe Kelly was once again England’s saviours as she converted the all-important goal.
England made one change from the dramatic comeback against Sweden in the quarter finals. Washington Spirit’s Esme Morgan partnered captain Leah Williamson in central defence. Alex Greenwood continued her spell at left back.
Italy made one change too, after their slightly more comfortable quarter final win. Martina Lenzini started after being used as a late substitute in the 2-1 win over Norway. Elisabetta Oliviero started once again in defence, whilst Barbara Bonansea started in midfield.
The Lineups
ENG: Hampton, Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Greenwood, Toone, Walsh, Stanway, James, Russo, Hemp
ITA: Giuliani, Di Guglielmo, Linari, Salvai, Lenzini, Oliverio, Bonansea, Caruso, Giugliano, Cantore, Girelli
First Half Action
The first real sight of action came from Lauren James. Lauren Hemp had some joy down the left and got the better of the Italian defence. The pass into the box from the winger goes over the head of Alessia Russo. James took the shot first time but it was well claimed by Laura Giuliani in the Italian goal. Italy subsequently had two good spells down either wing. The first down the right was easily by Hannah Hampton, with the chance from the left rolling out of play, as well as being flagged offside.
England controlled much of the opening 20 minutes. Hemp once again found joy down the right. After coning into the box, Russo muddling with the ball at her feet before her subsequent shot was just wide.
For all of England’s chances, Italy struck first though. Starting from a throw in, Italy drove forward. Some silky one pass play down the right saw them easily past the England defence. Driving towards the byline, the initially pass was missed by Cristiana Girelli. Lucy Bronze was unable to clear the ball passing with her thigh, and Bonansea sent the ball into the net with power.
The Response
England looked to respond straight away. The cross from the right side was initially dealt with by Italy before some bobbling passes eventually saw it clear. Italy looked to make it 2-0 but the ball was seen out by Williamson. The corner was also well dealt with by England. On the break, England looked to build through Hemp. Her pass across to James was enough to get past the resilient Italian backline but James’ shot was easily read by Guiliani.
Italy looked the more dangerous after the goal. The side were much braver in attack and looked stronger. England were forced into crosses that were well dealt with by the Italians and half grabbed at shots that lacked power and pressure.
The Second Half
Italy started the second half the stronger side. The intensity that they ended the first half with continued after the break. England looked to go all out attack, and were left to desperately defend at the back when Italy broke away. England looked hesitant and too slow in attack, whilst Italy were happy to take any chances they could get.
After a section of England dominance which saw them have several chances, Sofia Cantore broke on the counter. Pulling away from the English defence, Hampton was forced into good save to avoid 2-0. Subsequently, England still looked for their response. Keira Walsh looked to add to her tally from the tournament but her shot was wide.
Cristiana Girelli was forced off with injury in the 64th minute. England looked to use the moments after to their advantage. Beth Mead broke to the byline to get past the Italian defence with her cross in. Shots from Greenwood, Walsh and Hemp were chaotic and desperate and not able to get over the line. For the first time in the second half, Bronze pushed up into attack for England. She pulled the ball off to Ella Toone, who’s shot was wide.
England’s desperation for a goal started to leak more chances at the back. England were lucky chances from Caruso and Pimentoe did not go in. A series of corners for England still could not find purchase of a goal. Desperate defending from Italy let England have a range of chances.
England looked desperate to get the goal as the clock struck down. Throwing everyone forward, they still couldn’t get the important equaliser. Oliviero broke free in injury time. Carrying the ball some distance, her chance to seal the game off was well clear of the goal.
England finally got their goal at the umpteenth time of asking. As the clock struck down, the pass from Hemp into the box was pushed clear by Giuliani, directly into the path of Michelle Agyemang. The youngster took her shot calmly, seeing it into the net for the equaliser. After another England chance was seen wide, extra time was called.
Extra Time
England had the first real chance in extra time. Toone sent the ball in from the wing but the header from Aggie Beever-Jones was near convert for an own goal but it was cleared off the line. Italy looked to lay off England and allow the side to dominant the game and use that to break when they got the chance against England’s makeshift defence. The first time of asking, Hampton was there to save England.
Giugliano broke down the wing and into the box. Any chance of a shot were easily snuffed out by England. The counter attack by England saw Agyemang into the final third. The support from Beever-Jones was well-timed but a goal couldn’t be produced.
England dominated extra time and looked to seal the deal before penalties. Agyemang had her header seen wide by the Italian defence. The resulting corners were decently handled by Giuliani. Italy won a free kick on the edge of their attacking third. The free kick was well claimed in the air by Hampton.
A loose pass by England saw Italy break. Cambiaghi found herself with the ball in the box but was closely marked by Greenwood and couldn’t make anything from it. It was easily cleared away by England as a result. Italy had anothe chance well saved by Hampton after a mistake from Grace Clinton. Agyemang nearly sealed the deal for England but her shot from out wide hit the bar.
As if the drama wasn’t enough, Mead was brought down in the box. Chloe Kelly stepped up but her penalty was very well saved. The follow-up shot was however, converted at close range and for the first time on the night, England led. A late Italy scare was nothing for England, after the late comeback. England found themselves as
England Player Ratings
Hannah Hampton: 8/10 Good save for Cantore’s shot in the second half, as well as some other chances. Kept England in the game in places
Lucy Bronze: 6/10 Head not necessarily at the game. Some bad challenges. More reserved in the second half
Leah Williamson: 6/10 Struggled against the Italian forwards and not allowed her usual pushes forward
Esme Morgan: 6/10 Similar to Williamson but her pace was an asset in places.
Alex Greenwood: 7/10 Grew into the game much as crunch time called. Built in the build up as Bronze pulled back.
Ella Toone: 5/10 Wildly forgettable performance.
Keira Walsh: 6/10 Grew into the game as England searched for a goal. Some good chances and shots.
Georgia Stanway: 6/10 Some glimpses of good but overall ineffective in the game and resulted to long shots.
Lauren James: 6/10 Some good moments including England’s only shot on target in the first half. Subbed off at half time.
Alessia Russo: 6/10 Some chances and some good moments off the ball but couldn’t really break down the Italy defence
Lauren Hemp: 6/10 Not at the races, crosses were easily dealt with by the Italian defence or caught by Giuliani. Cross in that leads to the equaliser her one moment of excellence
Substitutes
Beth Mead (46′): 6/10 Brought an energy in the England attack that was lacking but influence quickly dwindled.
Chloe Kelly (77′): 8/10 Some good moments but not as impactful as against Sweden. Didn’t matter though, scored the winner at crunch time.
Michelle Agyemang (85′): 8/10 Brilliantly taken goal. Once again, a great equaliser. Difficult to deal with
Aggie Beever-Jones (85′): 7/10 Hard for the defence to deal with. Nearly had a goal but was seen off the line
Grace Clinton (105′): N/A Struggled to get up to speed.
Italy Player Ratings
Laura Giuliani: 7/10 good save for the James’ chance in the first half and Hemp’s in the second half.
Lucia Di Guglielmo: 7/10 Handled the starting frontline well but struggled after the subs
Elena Linari: 6/10 Good to begin with but struggled the power of Beever-Jones and Agyemang
Cecilia Salvai: 6/10 Not that noticeable but decent defensive performance
Martina Lenzini: 7/10 Good moments in being tight and compact in defence
Elisabetta Oliviero: 8/10 Really good performance. Handled Hemp well and looked like she could run forever
Barbara Bonansea: 8/10 scored the first goal with a great finish. Difficult for the English to deal with after too. Subbed off at 71 minutes.
Manuela Giugliano: 6/10 Decent moments against the dominant England midfield
Arianna Caruso: 6/10 Decent moments but not much influence.
Sofia Cantore: 8/10 Lively and difficult to deal with. England struggled to know when to pull close to her and when to give her space. Subbed off at 71 minutes. Brilliant game.
Cristiana Girelli: 7/10 Forced off in the 64th minute with injury but very much had her impact on the game. A nightmare for the English defence to deal with.
Substitutes
Piemtone (64′) : 6/10 Big moment at 77 minutes to make it 2-0 not taken.
Cambiaghi (71′): 6/1o Not much influence but had some good runs against the England backline.
Severini (71′): 6/10 Not much influence but had a chance saved from Hampton.
Greggi (89′): 6/10 Decent handling of England’s chances.
Piga (89′): 6/10 Decent defensive moments against England’s fired up front line.
