Kelly And Agyemang Fire England Into Euro 2025 Final After Comeback Against Italy

Remember nan name. Remember nan day. Chloe Kelly whitethorn person scored nan winner, poking successful nan rebound from her saved punishment heavy into other clip but it was Michelle Agyemang, whose surname virtually translates arsenic “saviour of a nation” who stepped up erstwhile it mattered most, scoring nan extremity to support England successful it against Italy and unit other time.

The banner held up successful nan mini artifact of Italians fans down nan extremity publication “football’s coming to Rome” – “home” bruisingly crossed retired – and for overmuch of nan 90 minutes it looked for illustration it was, until wonderkid Agyemang’s precocious onslaught forced 30 much minutes and Kelly stepped up to present nan precocious other clip winner.

It had looked for illustration Barbara Bonansea’s first-half extremity for Italy had secured a first last for Andrea Soncin’s broadside since 1997, but successful nan last infinitesimal of added clip England’s 19-year-old leader scored her 2nd captious extremity of nan tourney to support their title defence live and Kelly, nan scorer of England’s other clip victor successful nan 2022 final, delivered again.

The Lionesses had escaped Group D aft a staggeringly bad capacity successful their first group crippled against France, and came from 2 goals down against Sweden to triumph connected penalties, and successful Geneva that battling tone was connected show again. “The English are ne'er done,” Leah Williamson had said down nan camera successful 2022 connected nan measurement to a first awesome title and successful 2025 nan adjacent procreation of ace subs stepped up erstwhile it mattered most, sending England into a 3rd successive awesome tourney final.

The 30,000 capacity Stade de Genève did not consciousness for illustration a fitting spot for a semi-final arsenic it is approached. You weave your measurement done a graffitied business jungle and past a scrap metallic gait towards a stadium pinch exterior that is little brutalist beauty and much brutally ugly.

Michelle Agyemang celebrates her precocious equaliser to unit other time. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters

It was nan fans that provided nan colour though, England supporters sweeping towards nan stadium successful numbers acold greater than those from adjacent neighbours Italy, expectations of a 3rd successive last high.

Inside nan overseas arena though, nan vibe is wholly different. It is simply a paradise, nan stands nestled against nan transportation pinch mountains peering complete nan apical arsenic animation eyebrow-like paragliders swept supra them.

For those hoping for a capacity to lucifer nan beauty of nan surroundings, location would beryllium disappointment. The 3-2 punishment triumph against Sweden aft they came from 2 goals to unit other clip had been a complete shambles.

It was acold amended from England against Italy. Wiegman had made 1 alteration for nan three-hour travel westbound of Zurich and it was a characteristically pragmatic one, Jess Carter, who truthful bravely said retired against nan racist abuse she has suffered during nan tourney connected Sunday, was dropped successful favour of Esme Morgan and England mostly looked a much settled side.

It was ne'er going to beryllium easy though. Italy whitethorn beryllium classed 8 places beneath nan Lionesses successful nan Fifa world rankings but they had scored first successful each crippled successful Switzerland.

They are a well-organised unit, a squad that has really stepped up a cogwheel and grown arsenic a corporate arsenic they person progressed to their first semi-final since 1997.

It had been an moreover opening half-hour, Wiegman’s broadside edging things possession wise but Italy were prepared for that, possibly seeing much of nan shot than they had expected.

It was Washington Spirit-bound Sofia Cantore, who masterminded nan extremity to springiness them different lead, nan guardant beating Alex Greenwood to nan byline and putting nan shot into nan mediate wherever it grazed nan thigh of Lucy Bronze earlier falling to Bonansea who took a touch earlier smashing into nan tile of nan nett from a tight angle.

The celebrations were wild, almost nan full Italy starting XI bundling together pinch their substitutes successful nan England dugout conscionable to swipe brackish successful nan wound.

England had chances, but they did not return them successful nan opening 45 minutes, Alessia Russo putting an effort wide and Lauren James doubly forced saves from Laura Giuliani, neither having rather capable powerfulness down them.

Barbara Bonansea scores nan opening extremity for Italy to stun nan Lionesses. Photograph: Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters

James would beryllium withdrawn successful favour of Beth Mead successful astatine nan commencement of nan 2nd half, nan Chelsea guardant worryingly seen pinch crystal connected her foot.

It was frenetic arsenic England sought nan equaliser.

Lauren Hemp headed nan shot onto nan tile of nan nett trying to put it backmost crossed extremity and Georgia Stanway had an effort blocked arsenic Wiegman’s broadside desperately tried to find a chink successful nan armour of nan resolute Italian backmost five.

The Italians were dealt a large rustle astir nan hr mark, erstwhile tearful talismanic skipper Cristiana Girelli exited, seemingly pinch a hamstring issue, to beryllium replaced by Martina Piemonte.

The alteration galore were begging for came very precocious on, Kelly thrust connected successful spot of Georgia Stanway pinch 13 minutes of normal clip remaining. Bronze had a header cleared disconnected nan statement and Hannah Hampton made a double prevention to support England successful it. The last rotation of nan dice came pinch 5 minutes left, Russo and Leah Williamson departing successful spot of Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones arsenic England went for an all-out attack.

The bet paid off, Agyemang nan hero, firing successful pinch a infinitesimal of added clip remaining to gain different 30 minutes of football. That half hr was torturous, England’s caller look XI successful its slapdash style desperately sought nan winner. Agyemang went closest, her clipped effort coming agonising backmost disconnected nan barroom earlier Emma Severini’s situation connected Beth Mead earned nan holders a penalty. Giuliani saved Kelly’s spot kick, but she was first to nan loose shot and poked it successful to group up a last against either Germany aliases Spain. The English are ne'er done.