England Stuns Italy with Dramatic Comeback to Reach Euro Final

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — England have secured their place in the Women's Euro 2025 final following a dramatic 2–1 victory over Italy in extra time. This marks the Lionesses' third straight major tournament final appearance, following Women's Euro 2022 and the Women's World Cup 2023. 

This achievement also represents head coach Sarina Wiegman's fifth consecutive major tournament final, having previously guided the Netherlands to the finals of Women's Euro 2017 and the Women's World Cup 2019. 

"I'm delighted, I'm relieved, it feels somewhat surreal," Wiegman shared with reporters in Geneva on Tuesday evening. 

The current European champions will now have the opportunity to retain their crown in Basel, Switzerland, this Sunday. However, circumstances could have unfolded very differently for England, who once more seemed destined to exit Women's Euro 2025 as the semifinal approached the 90-minute mark at the Stade de Geneve. 

Italy held firmly to their 1–0 advantage when the fourth official displayed the board showing seven minutes of stoppage time. Those seven minutes dwindled to just two. The Lionesses desperately needed a savior, they required something miraculous. 

"Until the referee blows the final whistle, we maintain the possibility of finding the net. You're not defeated until that final whistle sounds. When the margin is narrow, there's always a chance to score," Wiegman commented regarding her belief in England's chances of avoiding elimination from Women's Euro 2025.

England winger Lauren Hemp delivered her finest cross of the evening. Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani deflected the fierce delivery into the path of England forward Michelle Agyemang, who composed herself, selected her target, and fired a precise low strike into the net from the penalty area's center. 1–1. Complete chaos. 

The Stade de Geneve erupted with the roar of approximately 20,000 England supporters as Agyemang sprinted across the field in celebration, before falling into her teammates' arms.

"I felt completely exhausted," Hemp reflected after the final whistle. "I felt like I never believed we would surrender, even at the 95-minute mark. I thought we're creating numerous opportunities. One of these has to find the target. We've come so close to elimination multiple times. I mean, you simply cannot eliminate us."

This marked Agyemang's second crucial late equalizer from the substitutes' bench within four days, following her 81st-minute strike that leveled the score at 2–2 against Sweden in Zurich. England and Agyemang are developing quite a reputation for Houdini-like escapes at Women's Euro 2025.

"She seems unstoppable at this moment," England captain Leah Williamson commented about Agyemang in the mixed zone following the match. "She's a terror to face as an opponent. I'm grateful she's my teammate at both club and international level. She deserves all the recognition." 

Agyemang's strike came from her fourth touch and initial attempt after joining the action in the 85th minute. The talented forward now boasts two goals across three substitute appearances (91 total minutes) in this tournament. 

"You maintain that confidence," Esme Morgan stated regarding Agyemang. "You understand that she possesses exceptional awareness of her required positioning in the penalty area. She's simply an extraordinarily intelligent player who recognizes which spaces to exploit, and then demonstrates such composure when finishing opportunities. She's an incredible asset to depend upon."

With the score tied at 1 following regulation time, England and Italy proceeded to extra time with only one nation able to progress to the Women's Euro 2025 final in Basel this Sunday.

Italy had successfully contained England during the semifinal's opening half, taking a 1–0 lead through Barbara Bonasea's instinctive finish in the penalty area during the 33rd minute. Nevertheless, as the match progressed, Italy's tremendous determination and resilience began to diminish. 

With each substitution Italy withdrew further and appeared increasingly fatigued. Particularly, withdrawing captain Christiana Girelli and winger Sofia Cantore by the 73rd minute significantly reduced Italy's physical presence and capacity to relieve defensive pressure higher up the field. 

Having committed merely two infractions during the match's opening 74 minutes, Italy's discipline started to deteriorate, with the team accumulating seven fouls and three yellow cards in the final 46 minutes (including extra time).

Following Agyemang's crossbar strike from an audacious lifted attempt in the 117th minute, England sensed vulnerability. England forward Chloe Kelly noted that Agyemang's opportunity "provided us with renewed energy." Suddenly, England was prepared to seize the moment and overcome the tiring Italians. 

A minute later, Emma Severini was judged to have wrestled excessively with Beth Mead in the Italy penalty area and the referee indicated the penalty spot. Kelly stepped forward, the hero from the Sweden penalty shootout four days earlier, and the Nigeria shootout at the Women's World Cup 2023.

Giuliani stopped Kelly's powerful penalty attempt, but the England substitute quickly rushed to reach the rebound first and tucked home the decisive goal to make it 2–1 in the 119th minute. This triggered the evening's loudest celebration from the England supporters behind the goal and Kelly gesturing downward with her hands as if to settle the ecstatic crowd.

"Calm down, it was more like calm down," Kelly explained regarding her celebration for the winning goal. "I was going to convert the rebound eventually. I think I made many people anxious after missing the penalty. So yes, relax. Everything worked out fine."

Narrow margins and heartbreak for Italy, who were moments away from their first Women's Euro final since 1997. Despite not performing at their peak during the knockout stages, England continues to excel at what they do best: Discover a solution.

"I believe we always maintained faith that we could recover in the match," stated Lucy Bronze. "I don't believe we anticipated leaving it as late as we did....but we managed it, we discovered a way."