The comeback queens - these Lionesses never give in
The comebacks queens, always coming back for more.
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?
Just why are they always relying on the substitutes?
Maybe that is a recipe for success rather than a desperate rescue mission.
Read more from Sky News:
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 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool Identify This Aston Villa Defender As A Target: What Will He Bring To Anfield?
In a recent report, Galicia Press mentioned that Liverpool have identified Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa as a target. It has been stated that the Reds are eyeing a move to bring the English talent to Villa Park in this summer transfer window. Konsa's Impressive Form In The Premier League Konsa enjoyed a solid campaign at the West Midlands club after he put in a string of impressive displays for them on the defensive third of the pitch. The 27-year-old made 50 appearances for the Villans last season, scoring three goals on all fronts. The London-born talent was a rock at the back for Aston Villa as he made 34 tackles, 20 blocks and 24 interceptions in the Premier League. He was even accurate with his ball distribution based on his pass success rate of 92.9% in the top tier of English football (stats via Konsa is under contract at Villa Park until the summer of 2028 which could make it tough for the Reds to snap him up on a cut-price deal this off-season. BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa scores his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park on April 15, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by) What Will Konsa Bring To Liverpool? Konsa is a tough-tackling defender who can time his challenges well to earn the ball back for his team inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when needed and can even play his way out from the back. Konsa can even chip in by scoring the odd goal at the other end of the field. The English talent has got a wealth of experience in the Premier League and won't take much time to adjust to life at the Merseyside club. He is primarily a central defender but can also fill in as a right-back if told to do so by his manager. Konsa would bring more bite and steel to Liverpool boss Arne Slot's backline. He is good enough to serve as a good replacement for Ibrahima Konate whose contract at Anfield runs out next summer. At 27, Konsa is about to enter his prime which makes him a great choice for the Reds to pursue in this transfer window. He might even help the Merseyside giants compete for some major honours over the next few seasons.
Forbes
5 minutes ago
- Forbes
Tottenham Hotspur Buying Morgan Gibbs-White Just Isn't Right
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest reacts, to Nottingham Forest ... More fans chanting "Englands number 10" after the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Portman Road on March 15, 2025 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by) If only the Premier League table were considered, Morgan Gibbs-White's move from Nottingham Forest to Tottenham Hotspur would be a total non-starter. It's inconceivable that the talisman of the 7th-best team in the division would be pursued or persuaded to join a side that finished just above the relegation zone. But glory in the Europa League final against Manchester United means Spurs is more than the worst team in the league that wasn't relegated. Victory provides the club with Champions League soccer and evidence that silverware can be won in Tottenham. In reality, it is an asterisk that obscures the greater overall trend from last season, which was that the Reds have a better trajectory than the Spurs. As speculation about his future swirled, Gibbs-White reported back for preseason training with Forest and has already featured in friendly games for the club. Perhaps the use of a player wanted by another team shouldn't come as a surprise, given how reluctant the Reds are to let him leave. Forest's position is that Gibbs-White is not for sale, and it's even been suggested that the club could take legal action against Tottenham Hotspur over its pursuit after Thomas Frank's side triggered a confidential release clause. According to his teammates, Gibbs-White has not let the furore affect him on the training field. "Morgan is a professional. I don't really know the ins and outs of that, but he was here today, he was playing, training with us, staying fit as normal," said fullback Ola Aina. "At the end of the day, we're all professionals. We've got a job to do and that's what Morgan's doing right now, keeping it professional." The pain of Gibbs-White's potential departure is worsened by another recent departure from the East Midlands. Anthony Elanga, another of Forest's key men last season, recently agreed to move to Newcastle United for around $70 million. Losing two of their most important players has understandably caused concern for Nottingham Forest supporters, who are keen to build on their recent success. "[The Gibbs-White transfer is] certainly one that Forest could have been doing without and one that has got the fans worried," BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray said on the local station's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast. "On the back of the exit of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle, fans were willing to accept that a big sale might be necessary this summer because that's life in the days of PSR and the Premier League. Although disappointed with that possibility and subsequent reality, people accepted that. "But, to have this right on the heel of the Elanga deal caused a lot of concern among supporters, and still is. It is a moving situation and things may change quickly - but it is messy, it is horrible, Forest don't want to be there in that situation. I'm fairly sure Gibbs-White doesn't either." "It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out from here. "Most thought it would be ironed out and the transfer go through. Not many were expecting him back at training and here he is. That is another twist in the story. "Forest have set their stall out that they aren't looking for a quick resolution. They want to keep him." NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JULY 9: In this image released on July 11, 2025, Newcastle United ... More announce the signing of Anthony Elanga on July 9, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) As Fray correctly points out, Forest's decision to dispose of its most talented players is not driven by either a financial imperative or a sporting decision. Profit and Sustainability Rules require the club to keep losses at a certain level, and the Premier League has already docked points for past failure to reach the required threshold at the specific deadline. Although European soccer promises to bring revenue next year to help counteract any expenditure until those games are played, the cash remains a future rather than a current benefit. But it's frustrating. Forest were one of last season's most exciting English soccer disrupters. They were outsiders from the established status quo whose exceptional performances put the more established order to shame. Just as Aston Villa managed to gatecrash the Champions League places and were forced to sell key personnel, Forest find themselves in the infuriating position of not being able to build on last year's success. Like the Birmingham side, they have a storied history that includes European glory and fans who feel they have the right to dream of sustained improvement. But the function of rules on spending has consistently demonstrated one thing: the upwardly mobile will have their wings clipped. Since PSR was introduced, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest have improved the Premier League's competitiveness by challenging at the top of the table, only to plateau or regress because they were unable to invest in that potential. Meanwhile, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have wasted vast sums as they blundered downwards. However, they remain unlikely to be overtaken by more dynamic rivals because PSR will always slow this progress. However, BBC Sport football news reporter Nick Mashiter is one of the few willing to offer Forest fans reason to be optimistic. He highlighted that there has been a good track record of reinvestment in recent years. "It sounds very very boring, but Forest know exactly what they are doing," he explained in a BBC article. "It sounds strange when you are selling two of your best players, but they have targets - long-term targets in the likes of PSV Eindhoven's Johan Bakayoko, James McAtee of Manchester City and Liverpool's Harvey Elliott. "Bakayoko was on the list when they signed Elanga initially. So, I think it is a case of 'trust the process' with Forest because over the past couple of years they have shown they know what they are doing. "It is worth pointing out that Forest have always improved on what they had. Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi came in for a combined £16.5m and they replaced Brennan Johnson, who went to Tottenham for about £47.5m. "They have improved since then. That was two years ago and they have done the same. Orel Mangala left, Elliot Anderson came in. Moussa Niakhate left and Murillo came in. "So they have always improved on the players they have lost." Forest fans will be hoping that proves to be the case, but it is a shameful indictment of PSR that they cannot build on the success they so brilliantly delivered last year.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gray on 'brilliant' tie, Midtjylland quality & potential Triantis return
David Gray has been speaking to the media before Hibs face hosts Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League second round qualifier on Thursday night. Here are the key points: Hibs arrived in Denmark after a five-hour delay to their flight from Edinburgh, but Gray is confident the disruption won't affect their preparations. He has urged his players to make the most of this "brilliant opportunity to play in Europe", pointing out it "doesn't happen very often in your career potentially". The Hibs boss believes Midtjylland, who missed out on the Danish title by a point last season, are a Champions League standard team, adding: "They're a very good side. They've got very good individuals, very well coached." Hibs' form in securing a third-place Premiership finish last season gives them belief but they must be at their "maximum" against the Danes. Gray has signed four players with summer, including record buy Thibault Klidje, and says the club are still "working hard" on further reinforcements. He adds: "The club always needs to try and improve and we're always striving to do that. But it's not just about numbers, it's about bringing the right type of people." Gray hasn't given up hope of enticing "big player" Nectar Triantis back after the Sunderland midfielder's two impressive loan spells at Easter Road: "He was brilliant to work with. He's earned the right to go back to his parent club for pre-season there. They're on a different schedule from us as, they started later, so there's always going to be time within these situations to see exactly what the lie of the land is."
