Latest news with #LeAzzurre


The Independent
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
How the Lionesses secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Italy
England's Lionesses secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Italy 's Le Azzurre in the Euro 2025 semi-final, booking their place in the final. Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal in the 119th minute, converting a rebound after her initial penalty was saved. Teenage sensation Michelle Agyemang scored a crucial 96th-minute equaliser to force the match into extra time. The win marks England's third consecutive final appearance, where they will aim to defend their European title. Kelly praised the team's resilience, stating they deserved the win and showed their fighting spirit once again. Chloe Kelly reacts to chaotic England comeback to secure place in Euro 2025 final


New Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
One minute from the dream: Italy coach proud of Euro 2025 performance
GENEVA, (Switzerland): Italy coach Andrea Soncin found solace in heartbreak after his side came within one minute of reaching the Euro 2025 final, saying it was an encouraging sign that they came so close before losing 2-1 to England in extra time on Tuesday. "This is something which hurts, but we have to be proud of what has been done," he told reporters. "The fact that we didn't get to the final and we were one minute away is encouragement," he added. Italian midfielder Sofia Cantore told Reuters that Le Azzurre's performance showed the strength and growth of the squad. "I think we made something incredible. Now I'm sad, but we bring with ourselves the thought that we can be strong," Cantore said. The last time Italy reached a Women's European Championship final was 1997. They looked destined to repeat the feat when Juventus midfielder Barbara Bonansea fired home in the 33rd minute at the Stade de Geneve. Italian fans erupted in celebration, with one proudly holding a sign declaring "It is coming home to Rome." But England's 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang had other ideas, equalising in the 96th minute to send the match to extra time and ultimately crush Italian dreams. "There is a lot of regret, we were a minute and a half away from the dream... unfortunately in the final we were tired," Elena Linari told Italian broadcaster RAI. "I am proud of the girls, it is a bitter evening, but also a sweet one," she added. The support Italy received from their fans at the tournament is something Cantore hopes will continue into the future.


The Independent
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Chloe Kelly reacts to chaotic England comeback to secure place in Euro 2025 final
Match-winner Chloe Kelly says England's last-gasp comeback win over Italy was nothing more than the Lionesses deserved as they booked their place in the Euro 2025 final. Kelly missed her 119th-minute penalty but tucked home the rebound as England overcame Le Azzurre 2-1, having been just seconds away from being knocked out in normal time. Sarina Wiegman 's side did it the hard way once again, breaking Italian hearts after such a resilient defensive performance. "Unbelievable, such a great feeling," Kelly said. "This team deserves nothing but that. Three finals on the bounce and we want more. This is an unbelievable feeling. 'This team shows resilience again and we fight back. Hopefully we can make it a little bit easier for ourselves and don't need that panic. 'We have hope, we have belief and we have the quality. We just need to keep at it and keep working hard in training to make sure we're ready for next weekend.' Kelly became the latest in Euro 2025 to fall foul of a missed penalty, with Laura Giuliani diving the right way to save. However, it didn't matter as Kelly pounced on the rebound, winning it for England and keeping their hopes of defending their European crown alive. 'It wasn't supposed to go like that, that penalty," she said. "I was ready for the rebound and ready for any opportunity given to me wearing an England badge. "I was confident but the goalkeeper had done her homework. Luckily I got there for the tap in." Kelly was not the only super-sub for Wiegman, who also brought on teenage sensation Michelle Agyemang with 12 minutes to play in a desperate bid to find an equaliser. The move paid off, with Agyemang finishing from a goal-mouth scramble in the 96th minute to force extra time. She nearly won the game herself, hitting the crossbar in extra time with an audacious volleyed lob. 'She is unbelievable," Kelly said. "She should have scored again, that one that hit the crossbar. "She's an unbelievable player and she's got the world at her feet. A young player with a bright future and I'm buzzing for her. England will now have the chance to defend their European crown when they face either Germany or Spain on Sunday.

Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
One minute from the dream: Italy coach proud of Euro 2025 performance
Find out what's new on ST website and app. GENEVA - Italy coach Andrea Soncin found solace in heartbreak after his side came within one minute of reaching the Euro 2025 final, saying it was an encouraging sign that they came so close before losing 2-1 to England in extra time on Tuesday. "This is something which hurts, but we have to be proud of what has been done," he told reporters. "The fact that we didn't get to the final and we were one minute away is encouragement," he added. Italian midfielder Sofia Cantore told Reuters that Le Azzurre's performance showed the strength and growth of the squad. "I think we made something incredible. Now I'm sad, but we bring with ourselves the thought that we can be strong," Cantore said. The last time Italy reached a Women's European Championship final was 1997. They looked destined to repeat the feat when Juventus midfielder Barbara Bonansea fired home in the 33rd minute at the Stade de Geneve. Italian fans erupted in celebration, with one proudly holding a sign declaring "It is coming home to Rome". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore 2 foreigners arrested for shop theft at Changi Airport Opinion Most companies onboard wrong – here's how to get it right Life Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath's bat-biting frontman turned reality TV star, dies aged 76 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving But England's 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang had other ideas, equalising in the 96th minute to send the match to extra time and ultimately crush Italian dreams. "There is a lot of regret, we were a minute and a half away from the dream... unfortunately in the final we were tired," Elena Linari told Italian broadcaster RAI. "I am proud of the girls, it is a bitter evening, but also a sweet one," she added. The support Italy received from their fans at the tournament is something Cantore hopes will continue into the future. "The fans now have to stay closer to us, because maybe they are now conscious about our strengths," she said. REUTERS


The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
England v Italy: Women's Euro 2025 semi-final
England haven't brought their best stuff to Euro 2025 yet. Beaten by France, outplayed by Sweden, fortunate to get away with a few missed penalties … and yet here the Lionesses are, in the semi-finals, one step away from the big one. The reigning champions and World Cup finalists have tournament smarts, talent and determination to spare, so if they finally click into gear, well, Europe watch out. They've got a good record against Italy, winning their last two matches against Le Azzurre to the cumulative score of 7-2. So Sarina Wiegman's women go into this match as favourites. But Italy are on a high, having reached this stage for the first time since 1997, seeing off a very good Sweden team, and Wiegman isn't taking anything for granted. 'We will have to be at our very, very best to win,' she says. Kick-off in Geneva is at 8pm UK time. It's on!