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Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
England player ratings vs Italy as substitutes inspire the impossible once again
England's substitutes inspired once again to complete an unbelievable turnaround against Italy and book their place in a third consecutive major final at Euro 2025. The Lionesses suffered another early setback when Barbara Bonansea punished sloppy defending in the first half and Le Azzurre held firm until the 96th minute in Geneva. A positive response in the second half, after Sarina Wiegman had screamed at her side to 'wake up!', saw Lauren Hemp miscue twice, before Wiegman sent on Beth Mead, Michelle Agyemang, Chloe Kelly and Aggie Beever-Jones in a desperate attempt to find an equaliser. But just as their luck appeared destined to run out, a chaotic penalty-area scramble saw Agyemang pounce with a slick, low finish to force extra-time. The game looked set for penalties, with Agyemang's outrageous lob coming off the bar in what seemed like the last big chance to win it in open play. That was until Beth Mead was dragged down to win England a late penalty, the rebound of which Chloe Kelly was able to convert in the 119th-minute, with Wiegman's side doing it the hard way once again to take their European title defence to the final day. Here are how the England players rated from their 2-1 semi-final win in Geneva: Hannah Hampton, 7 England's new No 1 did her job when called upon, aptly collecting crosses when Italy tried to threaten, while also passing out from the back with precision. Little she could do for the goal, which was more the fault of her back four - but still not a good look to concede your first shot on target. Dove out to collect a defence-splitting cross in the first minutes of the second period, before standing firm to spare Morgan's blushes. Then produced a huge double save at the death to keep England in the contest - a crucial intervention it proved. Lucy Bronze, 5 A bit hot and heavy to start, flying up the pitch to try and put pressure on the Italy defence but falling foul of diving in on a couple of occasions - perhaps lucky to escape an early caution. She nevertheless enjoyed the freedom to move forward down the right, linking up with James and Walsh when she can. But it's at the back where there's a lot to be desired for the goal, failing to read the delivery properly and allowing the ball to pass her and reach Bonansea, who does not need a second invitation to smash home from the edge of the six-yard box. Not much improved after the break, with attacking contributions often proving wasteful - a heavy touch in the box after linking up with Mead with particularly frustrating. Despite a poor performance, she nearly became the hero as she latches onto a corner at the back post - but her header was cleared off the line. Her experience came through in extra time as England turned it around. Leah Williamson, 5 Helped prevent Italy from getting a touch in the England box for the first half an hour - but is also significantly at fault for the goal, completely misreading the cross and stepping too far up, allowing it to pass between her and Hampton and into the feet of Bonansea. Fought tooth and nail to chase down Cantore after Morgan was caught out, putting the Italian under pressure to force an imperfect shot. Still a bit shaky as the game continued. Subbed. Esme Morgan, 6 In the team in place of Carter, she quickly looked to prove her worth. She used her pace to get across to cover for Walsh, showing a burst of speed that has been lacking from this England back four this tournament. However, she's done by the one-two for the goal, caught out of position after Greenwood was beaten too easily from the throw. Later had her blushes spared by her keeper after allowing Sofia Cantore to run in on goal. Booked in second half stoppage time. Alex Greenwood, 5 Became targeted by Italy as Le Azzurre grew into the game and was beaten too easily down the left in the build-up to their opener. Far too close to her opponent, who quickly darts past her and suddenly gives the Italians a numerical advantage. Redeemed herself partially by dealing with an awkward bounce in the area on the brink of half-time, but a wild attempt from the edge of the box wastes a decent opportunity soon after the restart. Subbed. Ella Toone, 7 Started brightly, looking to connect defence to attack as England began to threaten. Influence waned, as it did with the entire midfield, after Italy took the lead, but she picked up a bit after the break, with a wonderful looping cross finding an unmarked Hemp at the back post - only for the Man City forward to head over. Nearly helped force an own goal in extra time, delivering towards Beever-Jones and nearly seeing the resulting ricochet off an Italian shin crawl across the line. A lot of running from the Manchester United star - she gave it her all. Keira Walsh, 6 She tried to bend one in from the edge of the box, looking to produce a moment of magic to level things after being all but absent for the opening half. Distribution had a hell of a lot to be desired in that first 45, but was significantly better after the restart - going on a dazzling run through the Italian core and firing just wide of the post as she became the heart of England's attempted fightback. Evidently began to tire as the game entered its dying stages, though. Subbed. Georgia Stanway, 5 Overrun and bypassed by a stronger Italy midfield in the first half. Slightly improved after the restart but the least influential of the three. Finds space from 25 yards out with England entering into squeaky-bum time - we know how good she can be from range - but blazes wildly over. Subbed. Lauren James, 5 Had the first shot on target of the game as she latched onto a Hemp delivery - straight down the throat of Italy stopper Laura Giuliani - but often involved in build-up from deeper down that right-hand side. Then had a huge opportunity to strike England level just minutes after falling behind, but her effort from central lacked conviction as she tried to bend it round the Italy body, easily parried away. A real lack of clinical finishing when it mattered. Subbed, reappearing after half-time with ice around her ankle. Alessia Russo, 5 First big chance of the evening fell to her feet as she twisted the Italy defence inside out with a nice half-turn in the box, before firing just wide. It was a solid early attempt, but her influence drastically waned as Italy grew in confidence. She became surrounded by two or three green shirts constantly, desperately defending their lead, and it meant her impact grew non-existent. Subbed. Lauren Hemp, 7 A useful outlet down the left early on as England started brightly. Whipped in a teasing cross for James, who managed to direct a deft effort goalwards in what was the first half-chance of the game. Linked up with the Chelsea winger once more after her team fell behind, slipping James in behind with a brilliant pass - all that was lacking was the finish. But as she took the role of finisher early in the second half, she failed to find her shooting boots - directing a simple header onto the roof of the net when unmarked at the back post, before dawdling over the ball when it fell to her in a dangerous position. It seemed her shortfalls into front of goal could prove detrimental for England - but as she delivered a dangerous cross to trouble the keeper in stoppage time, she sparked Agyemang's miraculous equaliser. A huge contribution to keep England in the tournament. Substitutes Beth Mead, 6 (45'): Her introduction offered something different to James down the right - bringing on a poacher and taking emphases away from pace. But she remained largely on the fringes for her entire hour-plus cameo... at least until she won the 117th-minute penalty! Chloe Kelly, 8 (78'): Huge reception to the introduction of England's super-sub, but was it too late from Wiegman? It seemed so, with the Arsenal star unable to make her trademark impact against this resilient Italy defence - at least in normal time. But she was given 30 more minutes to make an impact thanks to a certain teenage hero, and it had to be her, didn't it. She missed her penalty but was there to tuck in the rebound with seconds of extra time to go. Michelle Agyemang, 9 (84'): The teenage sensation, sent on to deliver England a miracle. AND SHE DOES IT! In the sixth minute of seven added on, she finds the composure to fire past Giuliani - elation for the Lionesses, absolute agony for Italy. Remained a problem for Le Azzurre throughout extra time, and came inches from bringing about one of the great England moments. Chasing down a ball over the top, she tried an outrageous lob on the volley from a tight angle, only to see her effort come back off the bar. That would've been some winner. A sublime cameo from the breakout star. Aggie Beever-Jones, 7 (84'): A live wire going forward, she could have won it at the death with an effort that flies just wide of Giuliani's goal as the late subs threatened to steal the show. Nearly forced an own goal in extra time. Grace Clinton, 6 (106'): Brought on to try and make the difference. Part of the team that turned it around in the end. Jess Carter (120+1'): Fantastic moment.
CNN
an hour ago
- Sport
- CNN
England produces another dramatic comeback to make second consecutive Women's Euros final
UKFacebookTweetLink Follow England has made late comebacks its calling card at the 2025 Women's Euros and produced another dramatic finish in its 2-1 victory over Italy in the semifinals in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday. The Lionesses had trailed most of the match after Barbara Bonansea's first half goal on 33 minutes until Michelle Agyemang equalized in the 96th minute, with less than two minutes of added time remaining. In extra time and with the contest looking as if it was going to penalties for the second consecutive match, England was awarded a penalty in the 117th minute when Beth Mead was fouled in the box. Although Azzurre goalkeeper Laura Giuliani initially saved Chloe Kelly's spot-kick, the English forward was quickest to react, stabbing the rebound home from close range and booking the Lionesses' place in the final in the most dramatic fashion. 'It is definitely a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat,' Kelly told reporters afterwards. 'These girls are brilliant – they make me so proud to be English, as every English person is right now. 'I can't believe what happened. The togetherness of this group is so special.' England had qualified for the semifinals in an extraordinary manner, scoring two late goals to come from 2-0 down to force extra time against Sweden before a dramatic penalty shootout unfolded with the Lionesses managing to keep their cool at the key moment. Italy, on the other hand, had beaten Norway in the quarterfinals but was the heavy underdog against the Women's Euros defending champion, looking for its first spot in the final since 1997. Despite the pre-match predictions, it was the Italians who struck first. A probing cross from Sofia Cantore caused all manner of confusion among the England defenders before Bonansea was able to corral the ball and smash it into the roof of the net. With the Azzurre ahead, England went on the front foot in search of the equalizer. And whether through some wayward finishing or some inspired goalkeeping from Giuliani, the Lionesses were unable to draw themselves level. That was until the 96th minute when Agyemang, who has made a habit as a substitute of providing big, late impacts at this tournament, once again displayed her proficiency off the bench. Giuliani could only parry a cross with the rebound falling to the 19-year-old's feet where she smashed the ball home. The goal sparked wild scenes of celebration, with Italy's players clearly distraught at conceding so late into the match. With the game in extra-time, both teams had chances to score again – Agyemang came closest in the 117th minute where her lob bounced off the crossbar. But with penalties looming once again for England, Mead was fouled in the box as she attempted to connect with a Lauren Hemp cross, with referee Ivana Martinčić pointing to the spot. There was even more drama though as Kelly – with her unique run-up before her penalty, comprising of a hop and a jump – had her penalty saved but managed to tap home to clinch a dramatic win. The victory continues England's success at major international tournaments, with this marking the team's third final in a row; the Lionesses won the Women's Euros on home soil in 2022 and lost to Spain in the World Cup final in 2023. 'I feel like it hasn't really sunk in. It was just a rollercoaster of emotions, trying to stay focused in the 120 minutes to make sure we didn't let Italy back into the game,' England defender Lucy Bronze said afterwards. 'I can imagine once I'm in the dressing room, and we're on the bus, and we get back to (the team base in) Zurich, it'll sink in that we've made it to another final. 'I don't think you'll find a team in world football with more fight and more resilience than this England team. To come back and to never give up, the same as we did in the previous game, and to fight to the end; we kept our dreams alive and then to finish it in extra time as well is unbelievable.' England will face either Spain or Germany in Sunday's final in Basel, with the two facing off in their semifinal on Wednesday in Zurich.
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Arab News
England fight back to down Italy in extra time and reach Euro 2025 final
GENEVA: Chloe Kelly fired home the rebound from her own penalty to net a 119th-minute winner as reigning champions England pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Italy 2-1 after extra time on Tuesday and reach the Women's European Championship final. England fell behind in the first half but hit back to level through Michelle Agyemang six minutes into second-half stoppage time and when Emma Severini pulled down Beth Mead in the box in extra time, Kelly grabbed the chance to decide the game. Her first effort was saved but she was quick off the mark to rifle in the rebound and send England through to the final where they will face either Spain or Germany. After a come-from-behind penalty shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals, England again flirted with disaster, but their late surge floored Italy, whose hopes of reaching a first final since 1997 were crushed. The win propelled England into a third successive major final after their Euro 2022 success and World Cup loss to Spain the following year. With the Italians riding a wave of confidence after a last-minute winner against Norway in their quarter-final, they defended brilliantly and attacked incisively on the break. Their persistence paid off in the 33rd minute of a gritty semifinal when a ball from the right found its way to Barbara Bonansea, who took a touch before lashing it into the roof of the net. England then dominated possession and created a slew of chances as the Italians rode their luck, but too often the English attackers unleashed shots from distance that were easily dealt with or flew harmlessly over the bar. With their hopes of defending their title slowly slipping away, 19-year-old substitute Agyemang snapped up a loose ball in the box and fired home to send the game to extra time. Agyemang almost scored again with an effort deep into the second half of the extra period, out-sprinting and out-muscling the Italian defense only to see her deft lob toward goal bounce back off the crossbar. Sensing that they could avoid a repeat of their quarter-final penalty shootout against Sweden, England poured forward and reaped their reward when Mead was fouled in the box, but there was one more twist in the tale. Kelly took her usual prancing run-up, but Italy keeper Laura Giuliani kept her nerve and saved, only for the England winger to score from the follow-up and seal her side's spot in Sunday's final in Basel. 'I just tried my best for the team. It wasn't supposed to go like that, that penalty, but (I was) ready for the rebound and ready for any opportunity given to me wearing an England badge,' a delighted Kelly said. England defender Lucy Bronze said they had been forced to dig deep to reach the final. 'Yeah, we don't know if it's the easy way it seems this tournament, but we find a way to win,' she said. 'I think it was the 96th minute and then the 118th minute ... we just ... found a way to get the goals and get the ball (in) the last minute.' For Italy, who had defended superbly until England's equalizer, the loss was a devastating blow. 'Obviously, going out like this hurts a lot. Having stood up to the champions should give us a lot of confidence for the future. There are no words to describe the emotions we have experienced on this journey,' coach Andrea Soncin said. 'This evening, for as hard as the girls fought, we definitely deserved a different ending. Many difficult situations to comment on. It's sad, but I am and we are very proud.'
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
England fans made to sweat on another hair-raising night of drama for Lionesses
This time they needed only one penalty, although even that came with complications. England are through to the Euro 2025 final and, in keeping with the white-knuckle nature of their tournament, that tells only a fraction of the story. Sarina Wiegman's team were moments from losing to an unfancied Italy who had played the role of underdog to perfection, holding on to their first-half lead with an exemplary tactical performance. They looked down and out until Michelle Agyemang, the young Arsenal striker, seized on a loose ball and finished clinically in injury time. The Lionesses had got out of jail again and the breaks did not end there. Half an hour of extra time had almost ticked down, the spectre of a second consecutive penalty shootout looming ominously. England had scraped through their quarter-final by that means in a deeply flawed epic against Sweden and few inside a tense, taut Stade de Genève had any appetite to endure that maelstrom of emotions again. Then Beth Mead was fouled in the Italian box: it was a needless offence and England had their shot at glory, although their past record from the spot meant it came with precious few guarantees. The usually reliable Chloe Kelly stepped up but her strike was parried by Laura Giuliani. Time stood still as the ball ran loose and Kelly, characteristically sharp, got there first to sweep in a winner England had barely deserved. Wiegman, a concerned figure on the touchline for much of the night as her players stared down the barrel of elimination, leapt into the air. England's substitutes and support staff tore down the touchline and minds raced giddily enough to wonder whether it is written in the stars that they retain their European Championship title. To do that they must beat either Germany or the hot favourites, Spain, on Sunday. Their opponents will be known on Wednesday night and the one certainty is that they must perform more cohesively than they managed for long periods here. Agyemang had also bailed them out with a late equaliser against the Swedes; she has written herself into England folklore at the tender age of 19 but there will surely be less margin for error against one of the continent's superpowers. Legends are made on nights like this. England's travelling supporters celebrated deliriously long after the final whistle; huge sections of the venue had already dissolved into a mush of limbs when Agyemang struck. Those fans will be able to march proudly, expectantly, one last time before the tournament decider in Basel. Hundreds of them had assembled at a fanzone near Lancy-Pont-Rouge station to take the mile-long walk towards the stadium, counting down before setting off at 6.45pm to trumpets and beating drums. There had been plenty to entertain them while they waited, including an impromptu limbo dancing competition between tied-together English and Italian flags. This being Geneva, food stalls selling chips and hot dogs were joined by another offering oysters, salmon tartare and moules frites. Waving their unmistakable Tricolour, a section of Italy fans snaked their way through England's contingent to begun a march of their own. They were greeted by good-natured boos; in truth, both camps had mixed amenably throughout the afternoon, in keeping with the playful but passionate feeling fostered all month. Among those gathered were Sam and Beth from Worthing in West Sussex. They marched holding a flag, emblazoned with Brighton and Hove Albion's crest, that bore the words 'We stand with Jess'. The phrase referred to Jess Carter, the England defender, who had opened up during the weekend about the horrific racist abuse she has recently experienced via social media. 'It has to be said,' Sam explained of her supportive message, which she had painted the previous day in the pair's Airbnb. She predicted a morale-boosting 4-0 win for England, although they both noted the stress of that Sweden rollercoaster. They could not quite have expected a similar blend of agony and ecstasy this time. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Before the game Wiegman had warned against complacency. The message was pressed home that, should anyone be expecting a free pass to the final, a rude awakening lay in store. But England were sloppy in the first half, missing chances against Andrea Soncin's fiery competitors and going behind to a well-executed blast from Barbara Bonansea. Their efforts to claw a route back appeared to have stalled and they needed to thank their goalkeeper Hannah Hampton for a remarkable double save before Agyemang's intervention. Hampton is another hero to have emerged from the past three weeks and joined her teammates in the melee when England's place in the final was confirmed. They celebrated with pizza while friends and family, undeterred by the stadium's dimming lights, soaked it all in long after the end. The biggest moment of awe and wonder may, against the odds, be yet to come.
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
England beats Italy 2-1 to reach Women's Euro 2025 final
Chloe Kelly has fired home the rebound from her own penalty to net a 119th-minute winner as reigning champions England pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Italy 2-1 after extra time and reach the Women's European Championship final. England fell behind in the first half and did not hit back until Michelle Agyemang's equaliser 6 minutes into second-half stoppage time to send the game to extra time. And when Emma Severini pulled down Beth Mead in the box in extra time, Kelly grabbed the chance to decide the game. Her first effort was saved but she was quick off the mark to rifle in the rebound and send England through to the final against Spain or Germany. "We're going to make a movie some day. Well, this is a movie," England manager Sarina Wigeman said. "My goodness, it's unbelievable. Here we are again, it's really, really special." With the Italians riding a wave of confidence after a last-minute winner against Norway in their quarterfinal, they defended brilliantly and attacked incisively on the break. Their persistence paid off in the 33rd minute of a gritty semifinal when a ball from the right found its way to Barbara Bonansea, who took a touch before lashing it into the roof of the net. England then dominated possession and created a slew of chances as the Italians rode their luck, but too often the English attackers unleashed shots from distance that were easily dealt with or flew harmlessly over the bar. Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ With their hopes of defending their title slowly slipping away, 19-year-old substitute Agyemang snapped up a loose ball in the box and fired home to send the game to extra time. Agyemang almost scored again with an effort deep into the second half of extra time, out-sprinting and out-muscling the Italian defence only to see her deft lob towards goal bounce back off the crossbar. Sensing they could avoid a repeat of their quarterfinal penalty shootout against Sweden, England poured forward and reaped the reward when Mead was fouled in the box, but there was one more twist in the tale. Kelly took her usual prancing run-up, but Italian goalkeeper Laura Giuliani kept her nerve and saved, only for the England winger to score from the follow-up and seal her side's spot in Sunday's final in Basel. Reuters
