Sarina Wiegman’s spirited England fought back from a goal down against Italy to win 2-1 in extra-time and book their place in the Women’s Euro 2025 final.
Three years on from their famous victory over Germany at Wembley, the reigning champions looked to be crashing out of the tournament after Barbara Bonansea arrowed an emphatic strike beyond Hannah Hampton in the 33rd minute.
But Michelle Agyemang had other ideas after being introduced off the bench in the closing stages of normal time, reacting brilliantly to fire a driven shot beneath Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani to force a further 30 minutes in Geneva.
With the momentum firmly in their favour, England were awarded a penalty in the 119th minute – and Chloe Kelly tucked the ball home on the rebound after seeing her initial effort saved to cue rapturous scenes amongst the Lionesses’ travelling support.
Sarina Wiegman’s side held firm as the minutes ticked down to secure their place in Sunday’s showpiece, where they will do battle with either Germany or Spain.
The result means Italy’s 27-year wait for a place in a European Championship goes on.
The holders, meanwhile will be competing in their third successive major tournament final when they take the field at at Basel’s St Jakob-Park this weekend.
ENGLAND STARTING XI
Hannah Hampton – 8
Showed some signs of nervousness in the opening exchanges, but recovered well and displayed real confidence in all aspects of her game: dominating the box, claiming crosses and distributing out from the back.
Could have done very little to prevent Bonansea’s strike, which was hammered into the roof with some force from inside the six-yard box.
Aged just 24 with her best years surely ahead, the Lionesses have undoubtedly found Mary Earps’ long-term successor.
Lucy Bronze – 7
The England stalwart – making her record-equaling 15 European Championship appearance – has grown into the tournament and proved a nuisance for the Italians with her direct and incessant running down the right flank.
However, it was Bronze’s failed clearance that led to Italy’s first-half breakthrough, with the Chelsea full-back awkwardly directing the ball into the path of Bonansea.
Guided a dangerous header across goal as England pushed for a late leveller, but the corner ultimately came to nothing, before Agyemang popped up to force extra time.
Leah Williamson – 6
Shook off an ankle problem to start the contest and the injury didn’t look to bother England’s captain.
Wasn’t directly at fault for Italy’s goal, but could perhaps have got tighter on Girelli to prevent the forward from prodding the vital touch into Bonansea’s path.
Taken off for Agyemang just moments before the Arsenal forward’s stoppage-time strike.
The Arsenal centre-back will be looking to wrap her ankle in cotton wool ahead of Sunday’s showpiece.
Esme Morgan – 7
Starting in place of Jess Carter, Morgan certainly did not look out of place alongside Williamson at the heart of Wiegman’s defence.
Proved to Wiegman that she can be trusted going forward, giving Wiegman a possible selection headache ahead of Sunday’s final.
Aged 24, the Washington Spirt defender displayed maturity beyond her years in Geneva.
Alex Greenwood – 5
Got far too tight on Cantore and was beaten too easily in the build-up to Bonansea’s goal to make it 1-0.
Began the first half by ballooning a wayward effort at Italy’s goal.
Will be looking for a drastically improved performance if she is given the nod this weekend.
Keira Walsh – 8
Typically diligent in breaking up Italy’s attacks and mopping up at the base of England’s midfield, particularly throughout what was a frenetic first half.
No doubt frustrated with England’s lack of attacking threat in the opening 60 minutes, Walsh took it upon herself to take a speculative shot from range on the hour-mark, which had Giuliani scrambling across her goal.
Never seemed to put a foot wrong. Wiegman’s trusty metronome was arguably England’s player of the match before Agyemang came on and changed the game.
Georgia Stanway – 5
Stanway will have had worse games in her career, but the Bayern Munich midfielder simply didn’t do enough to make her mark before coming off in the 77th minute.
May look back with some disappointment on her display and will be desperate to repay Wiegman’s trust with an improved showing in the final.
Ella Toone – 6
Toone was arguably the Lionesses’ standout player before the semi-final, with two goals to her name this summer, but was unable to make a significant impact this time around.
Linked up well with Hemp throughout and found the Manchester City attacker with an outstanding ball to the back post at the start of the second half, but the resulting header came to nothing.
Another big chance fell to Toone in the 70th minute. However, the Manchester United forward snatched at her 20-yard effort, failing to trouble Giuliani in the Italy goal.
Will be hoping to rediscover her scoring boots before Sunday.
Lauren James – 6
Looked to be getting her eye in with a strike at goal while the scoreline was goalless in the 11th minute, after some fine play from Hemp down the left.
Came closer with a controlled effort shortly before half-time, only to be denied by a flying Giuliani. Should perhaps have put her foot through it.
Appeared a little leggy when attacking Italy’s box and was visibly struggling before coming off with an ankle injury at the half-time break, with Mead brought on in her place.
Alessia Russo – 5
Should maybe have hit the target with a shot on the turn in the 20th minute, which would have doubled her goalscoring tally at the tournament.
Failed to get anything on the ball after a promising England attack in the 75 minute.
Hasn’t quite clicked for Russo this summer, but the Arsenal forward has the perfect opportunity to respond this weekend.
Lauren Hemp – 7
A constant and willing outlet down the left flank, looking to exploit the space in behind Italy’s Martina Lenzini.
Undoubtedly England’s most potent weapon in a frustrating opening 45 minutes and came close to equalising with a whipped cross-come-shot in the closing stages of the first half.
Should have hit the target with a header from near point-blank range the start of the second period as England searched for an equaliser.
SUBSTITUTES
Beth Mead – 6
Replaced James at the halfway stage and struggled to make an immediate impact.
However, it was Mead’s attempted header that led to Agyemang’s equaliser as England dug deep to force extra time in Geneva.
Chloe Kelly – 6
Having come on for Stanway, there were sighs of frustration as Kelly fired a disappointing corner into the side netting as England sought a leveller deep into added time.
Charged with intent towards Italy’s goal in the 98th minute, but the Arsenal forward looked on in anguish after blazing the resulting strike high and wide.
Failed with her initial effort from the spot in the extra-time, but was in the right place to tuck away the rebound to cue wild scenes amongst England’s travelling support in Switzerland.
Michelle Agyemang – 9
Cometh the moment, cometh the Agyemang…
After being sent on to make the difference in the 85th minute, the 19-year-old scored her third goal in four appearances to force added time in the most dramatic fashion.
Continued to stretch Italy’s tiring defenders and came within inches of scoring one of the great Lionesses goals in the second period of extra time, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Wiegman could hardly have asked for anything more from the gifted Arsenal youngster.
Aggie Beever-Jones – 7
Was not able to have the same influence as Agyemang, for obvious reasons, but was positive throughout and did her reputation no harm whatsoever.
Grace Clinton & Jess Carter – 6
Brought on in extra time and both looked at home on the biggest stage for the limited time they were on the pitch.
