logo
The comeback queens - these Lionesses never give in

The comeback queens - these Lionesses never give in

Sky News3 days ago
When all seems lost, these Lionesses find a way to rescue it.
The comebacks queens, always coming back for more.
And now into a third consecutive final with a chance to defend their European crown.
But even Sarina Wiegman feared they would be flying home today when the clock hit 88 minutes in the semi-final with Italy and they were still trailing 1-0.
Just why had the defence been picked apart too easily again in the first half to concede to give Barbara Bonansea the space and time to score?
Just why were Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp, in particular, not clinical enough?
0:25
Maybe that is a recipe for success rather than a desperate rescue mission.
Because when Wiegman saw there would be seven minutes of stoppage time, suddenly there was hope again.
Especially as five minutes earlier, the manager had brought on Michelle Agyemang.
It's a lot to rely on a 19-year-old. But this is a striker who scored 41 seconds into her international debut as a substitute in April.
And she scored the equaliser that sent the quarterfinal into extra time last week before England beat Sweden on penalties.
Now the weight of the nation was on her shoulders again - and she delivered in the sixth of the seven minutes of injury time.
"She has something special," Wiegman said. "She's very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do.
"When you talk about little things that she picks up straight away, because she's not only in the 18-yard box very dangerous but when we have to go to her as a target player, she keeps the ball really well too."
The Arsenal forward even hit the crossbar in extra time before the Wembley winner from the final three years ago showed again why she's a super-sub.
Just when it seemed England would need to win another shootout, Beth Mead was brought down and now they had one penalty to win it.
Chloe Kelly was denied but alert to pounce on the rebound.
And with a 2-1 win, England will go the distance for a third tournament in a row. No England team has ever previously enjoyed such a deep run.
For Kelly it will be a second final of the year after winning the Champions League with Arsenal.
But it is a year that began despondent at Manchester City before securing a move to the Gunners.
"The moments when in January I felt like giving up football makes you so grateful for these moments here today, and this makes you enjoy every minute of that," Kelly said.
"I think confidence comes from within, but from around you as well. The players that we stand side by side with on the pitch, give confidence in each other."
And England will certainly feel confident.
These Lionesses never give in. How many teams would want to bottle up that fighting spirit and resilience?
"When it finishes like this I am enjoying it but it's a little bit dramatic," said Wiegman, who has now reached an unprecedented five tournament finals with the Netherlands and England.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'open to reuniting with former Manchester United star' as the Besiktas boss considers handing the 24-year-old a career lifeline
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'open to reuniting with former Manchester United star' as the Besiktas boss considers handing the 24-year-old a career lifeline

Daily Mail​

time2 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'open to reuniting with former Manchester United star' as the Besiktas boss considers handing the 24-year-old a career lifeline

Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly debating a move for a former Manchester United star. After a glittering playing career at Old Trafford that saw him etch his name in club folklore, Solskjaer went on to spent nearly three years in the hot seat at Old Trafford as manager between 2018 and 2021. In January, Solskjaer took his first managerial position since being sacked by United and led Besiktas to a fourth-place finish in the Turkish Super Lig. And as he prepares for his first full campaign in charge of the Black Eagles, Solskjaer is said to be eyeing a former Man United player to help shore up his defence. According to a report from The Sun, the Norwegian is open to a move for United academy graduate and former England youth international, Brandon Williams. Williams thrived under Solskjaer's leadership at Old Trafford, and was handed his senior debut by the Champions League winner in September 2019. The 24-year-old would go on to make 36 appearances in all competitions in what appeared to a breakout campaign for the latest Carrington graduate tipped for success in the game. However, Williams subsequently found first team opportunities difficult to come by and was sent out on loan with spells East Anglia with both Norwich and Ipswich. During the latter of the two, Williams fell out of favour at a promotion-chasing Tractor Boys side under then-boss Kieran McKenna as his off-field problems began to come to the fore. In May Williams was handed a 14-month suspended jail sentence for dangerous driving. The defender had been 'driving erratically' in his Audi A3 before hitting a Ford Fiesta and careering into the central reservation of the A34 in Cheshire at almost 100mph. Williams admitted he had been trying to show off to a female passenger who was sitting next to him, and a witness is said to have filmed him with a balloon by his mouth. Prosecutors said it was 'fortunate' nobody was seriously injured or killed. Judge Lamb, sitting in the Chester Crown Court, told Williams 'there was no reason for driving in the way you did' but said there was 'strong personal mitigation' after committing the offence at a time of depression. Williams, who had been partying shortly before the crash, was told he had been 'stupid' and earned 'too much too soon'.

Newcastle have not held contract talks with Alexander Isak
Newcastle have not held contract talks with Alexander Isak

The Independent

time4 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Newcastle have not held contract talks with Alexander Isak

Eddie Howe has revealed no contract talks have been held with Alexander Isak but hopes to keep the striker at Newcastle. Isak has been at the centre of transfer speculation over the summer window and it was reported earlier in the week that he has asked to explore a move away. The 25-year-old did not travel with the Magpies for their pre-season tour of Asia, with the club stating that he missed out due to a 'minor thigh injury'. Hours later, reports emerged that Isak – who has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks – had told club executives he wanted to explore the possibility of a transfer away from St James' Park. Isak missed Newcastle's first pre-season fixture against Celtic last weekend and ahead of their friendly against Arsenal on Sunday, Howe provided an update on the striker's situation. 'Of course there's things going on behind the scenes. He will be aware he's in the news every day, and I'm sure that's not easy for anyone in that situation,' the Newcastle boss told reporters. 'Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him. 'He's been magnificent for us since he's joined. He's very popular in the dressing room and we'd love him to continue his journey at Newcastle.' Howe also added that there are no contract talks taking place with Isak, who has three years left on his existing deal. 'As far as I'm aware, I don't think there are any contract talks taking place at the moment. That'll be for a later date potentially,' said Howe, as reported by the Daily Mail and the Athletic. 'I think for now, with the situation as it is and the state of the window, in the sense that it's hurtling towards the end of the window very quickly from our perspective, there's still so much that could happen.' Howe confirmed that Isak is currently in Newcastle being assessed, adding at a press conference reported on the club website: 'With his injury, I've got no major update on that. He first mentioned his thigh just before the Celtic game and we assumed it would a be very minimal injury, nothing too serious. 'Then on the Monday after the Celtic game, he went in from training very early, didn't feel right, so he's now in Newcastle getting that injury assessed. 'Hopefully he'll be back soon playing in the black and white shirt. That's what we all want to see.' Isak joined Newcastle in August 2022 and has continued to flourish during his time on Tyneside. Last year's campaign saw the Sweden forward fire 27 goals for the Magpies as they lifted the Carabao Cup and secured Champions League football with a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League.

Lucy Bronze's jaw-dropping home with on-trend terracotta bedroom and sleek kitchen
Lucy Bronze's jaw-dropping home with on-trend terracotta bedroom and sleek kitchen

Daily Mirror

time5 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Lucy Bronze's jaw-dropping home with on-trend terracotta bedroom and sleek kitchen

Lucy Bronze is a star player for the Lionesses and has often been hailed by her teammates as the self-styled 'bossy mum', but off the pitch, she lives in a stunning home with a trendy bedroom and sleek kitchen Lioness legend Lucy Bronze is known as one of the world's top female footballers, and her stunning abode is just as impressive as her undeniable talents on the pitch. ‌ The 33-year-old Chelsea right-back is heading into the Women's Euro 2025 final with her England team after a triumphant 2-1 victory against Italy. The Lionesses will go up against Spain on Sunday, July 27 in the Euro final, and as the self-styled "bossy mum" of the squad, Bronze will no doubt be at the forefront of the action. ‌ Ahead of the Euros, Bronze told BBC Sport: "I play every game like it could be my last. When you put on that England shirt, you don't want to leave anything on the pitch." But when she's not reaching for a trophy or putting the 'e' in energy on the field, the professional footballer can be found at her jaw-dropping abode. ‌ Pizza, partying and a new mantra - How Lionesses celebrated reaching Euro 2025 Final Off-pitch lives and loves of England's Lionesses gunning for Women's Euro 2025 glory One of the standout rooms in what has been reported as her lavish home is the terracotta and pink-shaded bedroom, with warm furnishings and cosy interiors. Bronze gave a peek into her bedroom in an Instagram post dubbed "Down time x self care", while using her Shark LED face mask. ‌ The room is adorned with abstract art above the bed, plants on the wooden chest of drawers, a circle mirror, lamps with rattan shades, and plush pillows scattered across the double bed. The room is the perfect haven with its warming tones and snug features. What's more, her bedroom is so on-trend that Victoria Robinson, style and trend expert at Hillarys, told Ideal Home:"Lucy Bronze's bedroom is a beautiful showcase of the terracotta trend that's set to be huge for 2025. The warm, earthy hue she's chosen creates an inviting and cocooning atmosphere -perfect for a restful bedroom retreat. ‌ "It's impossible not to feel instantly drawn in with this colour scheme - like you've just stepped into a sun-drenched Tuscan villa, even if it's raining outside!" In an Instagram post back in 2021, Lucy is thought to have shared another look inside her home, this time her kitchen. While it's unclear if Bronze has since moved, the large kitchen boasted sleek grey cabinets and a large island in the middle. In the snap, Bronze beamed alongside her Nan to sweetly wish her a happy birthday. ‌ The same room with the kitchen and open-planned space was featured in another Instagram post in the same year, this time with the footballer holding her beloved pooch. The downstairs area boasts white tiled flooring and white walls for a minimalistic finish, with large patio doors spanning the room. In the background, a clothes horse can be spotted drying a variety of sportswear, hinting further that it's the home of one of England's top players. Outside, a well-kept garden can be spotted with pristine grass for footie practice and trendy furniture for those warmer days. In an interview back in 2019 with The Gentlewoman also revealed that football memorabilia is a key part of her home decor. They shared: "A framed England shirt with Lucy's name and her number, 2 – her very first England shirt from playing for the U17s – sits in the corner."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store