England women’s team took on Italy in the 2025 Euros semi-finals. The Three Lions secured their spot in the final four after defeating Sweden on penalties 3-2. Italy were triumphant against Norway as they won 2-1, with 35-year-old Cristiana Girelli scoring a 90th minute winner for her nation.
England were aiming to reach their third consecutive final across all competitions, while Italy were looking to reach their first Euros final since 1997.
Italy took the lead after 33 minutes, as Barbara Bonansea scored on the volley inside the six-yard box. Sofia Cantore’s cross found the feet of Bonansea, whose shot found the roof of the net and Italy found themselves in front.
As the 90th minute hit and England still trailed, seven minutes of additional time was held up by the fourth official. Sarina Wiegman’s team had to find a late equaliser if they were to keep their title defence alive.
19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, who scored the equalising goal against Sweden in the last round, yet again scored an equalising goal for her team. Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani could not hold onto the ball, and it found the feet of Agyemang. Her low shot found the back of the net and crushed Italian hearts with less than two minutes left to play of normal time.
Image: Lionesses on X
The full-time whistle was blown, and extra-time was needed to separate England and Italy.
As the 120th minute approached, it seemed like penalties were destined to decide a winner. But in the 117th minute, there was one final twist in the tale.
A cross from Lauren Hemp into the penalty box caused a collision between Beth Mead and Fiorentina’s Emma Severini, resulting in the Arsenal forward tumbling to the ground and winning a penalty.
With just minutes left to play, England had a spot kick to win the tie and Chloe Kelly stepped up to take. Her trademark run up saw her penalty saved by Italy’s Giuliani, who dived low to her right. However, the 32-year-old could not parry the shot away from goal, and the rebound found the left boot of Kelly, who found the winning goal at the second time of asking. As the clock struck 119 minutes, Italy now had a mountain to climb if they were to find an equaliser.
After three added minutes, the referee blew the final whistle and England were heading to back-to-back Euro finals. Sarina Wiegman had confirmed her place in a major final for the fifth consecutive time, ranging across her periods at England and the Netherlands.
The Three Lions are the first side to book their spot in the final, as they waited for the winner of Germany v Spain. The world champions Spain defeated England in the World Cup final, back in 2023.
The last time England took on Germany was back in October 2024 and the German team won 4-3, in a seven-goal thriller. Germany secured bronze at the 2024 Olympics, with a 1-0 win against their Euro 2025 opposition in the semi-final, Spain.
In the second semi-final, after 90 minutes the game was all square. Yet again, extra-time was confirmed in the semi-finals to see if one of the teams could break the deadlock. In the second-half of extra-time Spain were the team to take the lead. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati found the opening goal, in what proved to be crucial for her side. Bonmati’s strike was the only goal in the contest, and Spain’s spot was confirmed in the final.
For the first time in history, Spain have reached the women’s Euros final. The women’s World Cup final in 2023 will repeat in the Euro 2025 final, as England, the reigning European champions, take on the world champions Spain.
