Italy Strike First in a Tense First Half
In the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 semifinal, Italy shocked the crowd in Geneva by taking the lead in the 33rd minute. Star forward Barbara Bonansea fired a stunning volley into the top corner, putting England on the back foot. England looked unsettled for much of the first half, struggling to break down Italy’s solid defensive structure.
Injury Woes for Italy
Italy’s problems deepened in the second half when their captain, Cristiana Girelli, went down injured in the 64th minute. The emotional departure left the team visibly shaken. Despite that setback, Italy held their shape, with goalkeeper Laura Giuliani and defenders Elena Linari and Cecilia Salvai doing their best to absorb England’s pressure.
Late Equalizer Sends Match to Extra Time
Just when it looked like Italy would secure the win, England struck in added time. Young substitute Michelle Agyemang, only 19 years old, stepped up in the sixth minute of stoppage time to score a dramatic equalizer. Her low drive through a crowded box gave England new life and sent the match into extra time.
Chloe Kelly’s Hero Moment
In extra time, England earned a penalty after Beth Mead was fouled inside the box. That goal sealed England’s place in the final and completed one of their greatest comebacks in tournament history.
Emotional Scenes and Reaction
England manager Sarina Wiegman praised her team’s fighting spirit, highlighting the impact of the substitutes who changed the game. Girelli was seen in tears on the bench, and several players stayed on the pitch after the final whistle, visibly heartbroken.
Road to the Final
England now move on to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Final, which will be held on Sunday, July 27 at St. Jakob-Park in Basel. They will face the winner of the other semifinal between Spain and Germany. This marks England’s third consecutive appearance in a major tournament final under coach Wiegman.
FAQs
Q1: Who scored for England in the semifinal?
Michelle Agyemang scored the equalizer in stoppage time, and Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal in extra time.
Q2: What happened to Italy’s captain Cristiana Girelli?
Girelli suffered a leg injury in the second half and was substituted in tears, which affected Italy’s momentum.
Q3: When and where is the Euro 2025 final?
The final will be played on Sunday, July 27, at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland.
Q4: Who will England face in the final?
England will face either Spain or Germany, depending on the result of the second semifinal.
Q5: Is England the defending champion?
Yes, England won the previous Women’s Euro in 2022 and are aiming to defend their title successfully.
