England’s late present stuns Italy as super-subs seal closing spot

GENEVA — England saved their Euro 2025 marketing campaign with minutes to go in opposition to Italy because the Lionesses made it by means of to the ultimate with a 2-1 win in additional time.

Barbara Bonansea, 34, struck within the first half and England had no reply as they seemed wanting inspiration up entrance, however super-substitute Michelle Agyemang was introduced on with six minutes to go and calmly hammered residence from shut vary to seize a late equalizer.

A drained Italy then light in additional time because the defending champions gained a penalty within the 118th minute, missed by Chloe Kelly however then transformed on the rebound, to arrange a closing in opposition to both Spain or Germany in Basel on Sunday.

– Ladies’s Euro 2025 bracket, outcomes and fixtures schedule

England go away it late

England live some charmed life in Switzerland. No surprise the etymology of Agyemang is “saviour of the nation.” The Lionesses ought to have been knocked out 5 occasions in opposition to Sweden — in line with their very personal supervisor Sarina Wiegman — and in opposition to Italy, they waited till the 96th minute to get their equalizer. After all, it was Agyemang once more.

After which the winner? After all it was Kelly who tapped residence the rebound from her personal saved penalty. It’s only a outstanding existence.

In opposition to Sweden, Agyemang scored England’s equalizer which pressured additional time after which that chaotic penalty shootout. And Agyemang was Wiegman’s “Hail Mary” as England ticked ever nearer to the approaching doom of defeat right here. Once more, the Agyemang roll of the cube (with six minutes left on the clock) paid off. Her end — full with a double nutmeg — was scientific and calm for one so younger (19) and sufficient to power additional time.

Then in additional time her pleasant lob was simply an inch away from giving England the lead, nevertheless it hit the bar. Ultimately it was Kelly who managed to complete from shut vary when her penalty was brilliantly saved. And that was that.

If we’re being important, each introductions off the bench got here too late. Wiegman is inflexible together with her substitutions, so it was stunning to see Beth Mead launched at half time – although that seemed prefer it was due to an damage to Lauren James — however as England struggled for the breakthrough, Wiegman waited and waited to make the modifications.

Kelly was introduced on within the 77th minute; Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones have been launched within the eighty fifth minute. Finally the switches produced the products, nevertheless it did really feel prefer it was left far too late. — Tom Hamilton

Italy so unfortunate

Italy stated that they had a gameplan. They have been steadfast in Monday’s information convention that that they had deliberate for every little thing and, had it not been for 2 unlucky lapses, they’d be by means of to the ultimate having pissed off England for 96 minutes.

In all 5 Euro 2025 video games, Italy have scored first. They knew a fast begin would have England panicking and, even supposing the Lionesses clawed again a win from two targets down in opposition to Sweden within the quarterfinals, it took them without warning.

Italy marked midfielder Keira Walsh out of the sport. She has been the lynchpin holding England’s midfield collectively for the final two tournaments, however like loads of different nations, Italy knew eradicating that menace would power England to play round her. Additionally they had three gamers caught like glue to England’s game-changer Lauren James earlier than she went off injured at half-time. They usually suffocated the lengthy balls into Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo up entrance, the way in which wherein England have been the best this match.

Andrea Soncin’s tactical nous virtually created the right plan, nevertheless it was in useless. They misplaced focus within the closing minute of stoppage time, permitting Agyemang to beautifully steal an equalizer, and a foolish foul on Beth Mead to concede the penalty late in additional time noticed them defeated. They got here agonizingly shut, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient. — Emily Keogh

England’s protection struggles once more

It has been one of many unlucky developments in these Euros that England’s protection has struggled. They have been torn aside by France, and Sweden had the liberty of Zurich till the late substitutions modified the sport. And in opposition to Italy, England’s protection once more seemed far too porous. Wiegman shifted issues up after the chaos of the Sweden match, transferring Esme Morgan into the group rather than Jess Carter, however England’s vulnerability was nonetheless there.

There have been a litany of errors for Italy’s purpose — they need to by no means have been allowed the area to cross the ball, England ought to have cleared it after the primary bounce, and Bonansea ought to by no means have been left unmarked.

Solely Leah Williamson is aware of how a lot she was nonetheless feeling the results of that turned ankle in opposition to Sweden, however the actuality is that England by no means seemed settled on the again. They lack a world-class left-back and, because of Alex Greenwood shifting there, they’ve missed Greenwood’s distribution from the center.

Finally they obtained by means of the match with an astonishing group effort, however their again 4 (or again three) wants shoring up earlier than they play Spain or Germany. They will not be as forgiving. — Hamilton

Italy’s veterans paved the way

It was a crushing finish to the match for veteran Italy striker Cristiana Girelli who exited the pitch in tears within the sixty fourth minute with what seemed like a hamstring damage.

Girelli, 35, would have needed to be there till the top and might be feeling the loss deeper than anybody. However Italy’s reliance on their veteran gamers is one thing that has been criticized; Girelli has been the guts and soul of this facet and whereas her ardour is impeccable, her long-term place within the group has pressured a delay in bedding in youthful expertise.

Nonetheless, her ability and talent to play like she is 10 years youthful — she netted each targets to succeed in the semifinal in opposition to Norway — was very important to holding England on the again foot. And her tearful trudge across the pitch was a mark of a participant who has given every little thing to the game, with little or no to indicate for it. Bonansea, in the meantime, was the second-oldest participant to attain in Euros historical past — behind Elisabetta Vignotto (35) throughout Euro 1989.

Whereas Italy’s veterans proved key, there may be additionally hope for the long run in 25-year-old starlet Sofia Cantore. She capitalized on poor defending and communication between Greenwood and Morgan to have a area day. — Keogh

England far too wasteful up entrance

Whereas full credit score goes to Italy’s gameplan and defensive work, England have been far too profligate up entrance, losing each likelihood that they had.

A lackluster show like this might be definitely punished by a ruthless Spain or Germany, and Russo was pressured to work extremely arduous, let down by an absence of our bodies within the field and dropping deep to assist in midfield.

With Italy’s three defenders in opposition to the Arsenal striker, the numerical drawback proved an excessive amount of as she couldn’t discover a method by means of. Lauren Hemp, although extremely fast on the wing, was additionally struggling together with her crosses. Unable to play by means of Walsh, England’s choices have been restricted, whereas Ella Toone and Lucy Bronze have been, at occasions, screaming for the go to be performed, nevertheless it went unnoticed.

A greater group would have made England pay; as a substitute they obtained away with it, once more. Whereas Italy’s group brought about England points, they have been the reason for their very own downfall. It’s a disappointing pattern that’s turning into all too frequent for England, and with solely 5 days till the ultimate, the gamers might want to begin being scientific, or they will not defend their title. — Keogh

Italy can nonetheless sing

On the full-time whistle, Italy’s gamers fell to the bottom exhausted and heartbroken. The momentum of this ridiculous match finally swung away from them. However they’ll head away with their heads held excessive. From their followers, to the ageless Girelli, to their charismatic supervisor, Italy have been a beautiful a part of this match’s narrative.

The sounds in Geneva might be of “Candy, Caroline” taking part in as soon as once more, as England celebrated. But additionally, the recollections might be of the Italian anthem, and the noise which their followers made all through the match; the chants of “Girelli” reverberated round Stade de Geneve and might be without end a part of this championship.

That may come as little comfort, although. Ultimately pleasure will change these emotions of “what if” however tonight, they will be replaying these little game-shifting moments on repeat. You hope, although, that Italy can use this momentum and the game can develop additional. Italy’s followers needed to wait 28 years for a Euro semifinal. You hope it will not be that lengthy a wait once more. — Hamilton