England produce another comeback to down Italy and reach Euro final
Geneva
Chloe Kelly scored late in extra-time to help England move closer to retaining their European Championship title after another dramatic comeback with a 2-1 victory over Italy in Tuesday's semi-final.
England had looked on the way out following Barbara Bonansea's first-half goal until substitute Michelle Agyemang, who levelled late on in the quarter-final against Sweden, repeated the trick six minutes into injury time to make it 1-1.
The holders had the better of extra-time, with Agyemang hitting the bar, and were then awarded a contentious spot-kick for a foul on Beth Mead by Emma Severini.
Kelly saw her penalty saved but she tapped in the rebound on 119 minutes.
'Unbelievable, such a great feeling,' player of the match Kelly told ITV. 'Three finals on the bounce and we want more.
'It wasn't supposed to go like that with the penalty but I was ready for the rebound. This team shows resilience, we fight back. Hopefully we can make it easier for ourselves.' England boss Sarina Wiegman has now reached five finals in five major tournaments, including the first two in her previous role in charge of her native Netherlands.
The Lionesses will meet Spain, who beat them in the 2023 World Cup final, or Germany in a repeat of the Euro 2022 showpiece in Sunday in Basel. The Spanish take on record Euro champions Germany in Zurich on Wednesday.
Wiegman dropped Jess Carter to the bench. The defender, who struggled in the win over Sweden, had revealed at the weekend that she has been the target of racist abuse on social media throughout the tournament.
She came on for the closing stages.
Carter had previously started every game, but was replaced by Esme Morgan, who made a first major tournament start alongside fit-again captain Leah Williamson in central defence.
Kelly, who changed the game as a substitute in the quarter-final with Sweden, also began on the bench again.
Surprise pick Italy beat the Norwegians late on in the quarter-final and swapped Severini for Martina Lenzini in a new back three to take on England.
The Azzurre, who lost to Norway and Germany in the 1993 and 1997 finals, were on the back foot early on as England made a much better start than against the Swedes.
Lauren James had a prodded finish saved and Alessia Russo, who has Italian roots, fired wide.
Italy's final ball was initially lacking and England stopper Hannah Hampton, who starred in the epic penalty shoot-out against Sweden, was largely untroubled in the first quarter.
But on 33 minutes, a well-worked move fell for the experienced Bonansea, who thrashed home into the roof of the net.
England had paid the price for letting their early energy drop and tried to rouse themselves, with James wasting a good opportunity.
The physical Italians looked tactically solid and England threw on Mead for an injured James at the interval to try to break through.
Lauren Hemp had two decent chances as England pushed hard in the second half, but it looked like there was to be no comeback like against Sweden, especially as Italy almost scored a second on 86.
Teenage forward Agyemang had other ideas and expertly pounced when Italy keeper Laura Giuliani, in a rare slip by the Azzurre, made a hash of a cross.
The 19-year-old Brighton player had been a surprise pick in the Euro squad and fellow substitute Kelly sealed the win at the death despite Giuliani's best efforts.
Italy coach Andrea Soncin said: 'We feel so much pride, the girls should be proud of what they did, going out like this hurts but having stood up to the champions gives us confidence for the future.
'There are no words to describe the emotions, we definitely deserved a different ending, we are sorry but we are very proud.'
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