Italy 1-2 England [AET]: Lionesses reach Euro 2025 final after another dramatic late comeback

England’s Lionesses are through to their third consecutive major final, having scored two dramatic late goals against Italy in Geneva on Tuesday.

Although England seemed in control at the start of the game, Italy scored on their first attempt on goal just after the half-hour mark. The Lionesses – despite a plethora of opportunities – could not seem to find the back of the net until Sarina Wiegman’s youngest player, Michelle Agyemang, came on in the 85th minute and changed the game yet again, scoring the equaliser that kept her side in the game, with just seconds on the clock.

And just one minute before the game would go to penalties, Chloe Kelly scored the winner off of a rebounded penalty which she had initially missed, completing a 2-1 England victory that sets up a meeting with either Spain or Germany in Sunday’s final.

As it happened

Sarina Wiegman’s side asserted early control, dominating possession and creating several promising opportunities through Lauren James, Alessia Russo, and Lauren Hemp. Despite the pressure, none were able to convert their chances.

Against the run of play, Italy struck first just after the half-hour mark with a moment of sharp teamplay. Sofia Cantore burst down the wing, outmaneuvering both Alex Greenwood and Esme Morgan before delivering a dangerous cross into the box. Lucy Bronze, unable to clear, inadvertently deflected the ball into the path of Italian veteran Barbara Bonansea, who finished clinically to put Italy ahead.

England went into the break trailing 1-0, but emerged determined to turn the tide. The second half mirrored the first, with England creating chances but struggling to find the net. Alex Greenwood sent a shot over the bar, Hemp missed a header, and Keira Walsh’s strike veered wide. Italy had their chances too, but Hannah Hampton kept England in the game.

In what can only be described as a bold move, Wiegman introduced 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang – a forward – in place of defender and captain Leah Williamson, changing England’s formation with five minutes to go. The substitution proved pivotal once again. In the dying moments of regular time, Hemp sent a cross down the wing intended for Beth Mead. Italian goalkeeper Laura Giuliani parried the ball, but it fell kindly for Agyemang, who calmly slotted it home to level the score and send the match into extra time – her third senior international goal, in just her fourth appearance.

She nearly grabbed her second in the 116th minute with an audacious lobbed effort from the right flank, but her shot struck the woodwork. Moments later, Mead was hauled to the ground in the box by Emma Severini, prompting Croatian referee Ivana Martinic to award a penalty to England. Chloe Kelly stepped up, and while her effort was saved by Giuliani, the 27-year-old forward reacted quickly to the rebound, converting with her left foot to secure a dramatic victory for the Lionesses.

With the 2-1 win, England advance to their third consecutive major tournament final. They will face either Spain or Germany on Sunday, 27 July at 17:00 BST [18:00 CEST] in Basel. It marks Sarina Wiegman’s fifth straight appearance in a major final as a head coach.

The lineups

ENG: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Greenwood; Toone, Walsh, Stanway; James, Russo, Hemp