Super subs save the day again as England go through to Women's Euro 2025 final
Trailing 1-0 deep into second-half stoppage time against Italy in their semi-final, the defending champions looked beaten, but Agyemang levelled to force extra time and Kelly snatched the winner to seal England's place in the final in Basel on July 27.
For the second game in a row, the pair came on and proved decisive, and with Beth Mead also impressing from among the ranks of the replacements, England coach Sarina Wiegman has some welcome selection problems ahead of the decider against either Germany or Spain.
Just as she did against Sweden in the quarter-final, Agyemang came off the bench to equalise, and though that game went to a penalty shoot-out, this time Kelly needed only the rebound from one late spot kick to send her side through.
Will the duo start in the final? Or are they better off the bench?
Agyemang has been a colossus for England in her substitute appearances to date, providing power, physicality and a nose for goal when they need it most – not bad for a 19-year-old who was a ball girl for an England game at Wembley only four years ago.
Kelly's wing work has been equally exemplary, her unshakeable confidence allowing her to persistently create chances and change every game she entered.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore S'pore's domestic recycling rate drops to all time low of 11%
Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kick in
Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024
Asia Japan Prime Minister Ishiba to resign by August, Mainichi newspaper reports
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
Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
Their contributions were vital. Italy defended with a mix of heroism, wisdom and cynicism that looked to be enough to see them into the final for the first time since 1997.
The Italians had done superbly, making sure their clearances went to a teammate or out to the wings to lessen the danger and they presented the England players with a solid block in the middle, inviting them to shoot from distance.
Their strategy of compressing space and denying angled balls behind their defence effectively restricted England's attack, limiting striker Alessia Russo to a handful of touches in the box.
But the introduction of Agyemang and her combination of skill and physicality gave England a more direct weapon, and with Kelly marauding down the wings, the reigning champions suddenly looked to have a sliver of hope.
Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani spilled the cross that Agyemang snapped up and converted into an equaliser, and she saved from Kelly's extra-time penalty, but could do nothing to prevent her from steering home the rebound as the super subs struck again to save England.
'We're going to make a movie some day! Well, this is a movie, my goodness, it's unbelievable. Here we are again, it's really, really special,' an elated Wiegman said, praising her supporting cast for their blockbuster ending.
One more match to go, before the Lionesses can officially call it their Hollywood campaign. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
England's bulldog spirit v Spanish flair - who will prevail at Women's Euro?
England versus Spain, a now familiar final, for both men and women. Thus far, Spain's rich football culture has twice prevailed over England's bulldog spirit. No matter the gender of the English footballer, their exhaustedly chasing their tail as the Spaniards stroke the ball around is now part of the national psyche. On July 27, in Basel, Switzerland, England's Lionesses are reunified with Spain, whose 1-0 World Cup Final victory two years ago in Sydney was far more comprehensive than the scoreboard suggested. Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach who converted a talented, well-funded and still evolving England team into European champions in 2022, found few answers to Spain's pressing and passing.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Straits Times
England seek revenge against Spain as rivals meet in Euro 2025 final
England coach Sarina Wiegman talks to her players before extra time in their semi-final clash against Italy. BASEL – England are aiming to retain their title and avenge defeat by Aitana Bonmati's Spain in the Women's World Cup final two years ago, when the rivals meet again on July 27 to decide who will win Euro 2025. The showdown in Basel promises to be a fascinating contest between a Spain side looking to add the continental crown to their world title, and an England team who can secure back-to-back European Championship victories. Spain beat England 1-0 in Sydney to win the World Cup for the first time, and another victory for La Roja in their latest clash would cement their status as the dominant force in women's international football. 'We have so much respect for them, but we also believe in ourselves, that we can really step up,' said England's Ella Toone on July 25. Toone, 25, scored the first goal for the Lionesses when they beat Germany 2-1 after extra time at Wembley to win the last Women's Euros three years ago, and has played a key role in Switzerland on their run to a third straight major tournament final. 'It is amazing. To make three consecutive finals for England is something that we can all be so proud of,' she said at the team's base in Zurich. That remarkable run has come under the management of Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach who took charge in 2021 and immediately turned them into contenders. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes Asia Behind deadly Thai-Cambodian clashes, a bitter spat between two dynastic leaders Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Business Banking and finance jobs will change but won't disappear as AI becomes the new normal: Accenture Sport Mikkel Lee gets back up to speed as Singapore swimmers eye 2028 Olympics spots Business How parents can prevent disputes over their properties Asia Hottest 'ticket' in Jakarta? Young Indonesians compete for a slot at this novel club Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly 'She is a great manager, someone we all have a lot of belief in and we know we are in good hands,' added Toone of Wiegman, who also won the Euros with her native Netherlands in 2017. It has not been an easy road to the final for England this time, with the Lionesses coming back from the brink of elimination more than once. Their title defence started with a 2-1 defeat by France in their opening group game three weeks ago. They recovered to reach the knockout stages, but then required a remarkable comeback from two goals down to eventually beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-finals. They then trailed to Italy in the semi-finals until a 96th-minute goal by Michelle Agyemang forced extra time, and Chloe Kelly scored the winner just as another shoot-out loomed. 'The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special,' said Kelly. But it remains to be seen if that resilience will be enough against a brilliant Spain side led by reigning Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati. The Barcelona midfielder scored the extra-time winner as Spain edged Germany in the last four to reach a first-ever European Championship final. 'All the hard work we have put in has paid off,' said coach Montse Tome. Spain could have as many as seven starters who featured in that game in Sydney, including Alexia Putellas – she was only a bit-part player at the World Cup as she recovered from a knee injury, but Bonmati's predecessor as Ballon d'Or winner has been much more influential here. The theme of revenge could also apply to the Spaniards, who were knocked out of the last Euros by England, going down in extra time in the quarter-finals. If they come out on top they will be the first nation to win the Women's World Cup and Euros back-to-back since Germany in 2007 and 2009. AFP
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Straits Times
England coach Wiegman has learned to enjoy the good times
ZURICH - Sarina Wiegman sang a celebratory song in her native Dutch when England clinched a spot in the Euro 2025 final. She attempted to high-five assistant Darren Ward, but missed. She admitted she planned to treat herself with a "glass of something nice." If England's women's coach was reserved when hired in 2021, she said she has grown into the role, and her passion has been on full display at the Euros, particularly through two nail-biting knockout victories in which the Lionesses were on the brink of elimination. "First of all, my English has improved, so I understand a lot more, but also you learn more about people you work with," she said on Friday. "You learn more again about yourself and while I'm always working on developing the team, I always try to keep developing myself. "What I really wanted to do over all these years is try to enjoy it a little bit more, you have to be focused in this job, but you need to celebrate the moments that are good, it's really nice." As England get ready to contest their third successive major final on Sunday, when they face world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 showpiece, Wiegman's players have described her as a second mum -- direct and demanding but caring and supportive. Ella Toone said the coach has been kind-hearted in the midfielder's first major tournament after the death of her father. Aggie Beever-Jones said after England's loss to France in their Euro opener, Wiegman put a consolatory arm around her and explained her reasons for not playing her in the game. Midfielder Keira Walsh called her "one of the best managers I've played for in terms of trying to make everyone feel loved". "It's a really difficult job when you're in a tournament, and obviously people want to play, people aren't, but she really, really cares about the human side," Walsh said. "Another thing that you notice when you play for her is how calm she is. It makes a massive difference in the 95th minute when you're losing 1-0, and you look to the side and she's very calm." Wiegman said the job can be a difficult balance. "I'm a caring person, so maybe that's the part, I care about them but at the same time I'm the coach, I'm making these hard decisions at the moment," she said. On Sunday, Wiegman will become the first person, in men's or women's soccer, to have coached teams in five consecutive major tournament finals. The 55-year-old, who is under contract through the 2027 World Cup, guided her native Netherlands to two finals before continuing that run with Euro 2022 champions England. Football Association executive Mark Bullingham said they will not let Wiegman leave for any amount of money, and Wiegman certainly does not sound like she is going anywhere. "I'm sorry, I'm still learning English but yes I have (fallen in love) with England," Wiegman said. "Otherwise I would not be sitting here with such a smile on my face. "This team has always shown so much resilience, I see that in abundance and I see that entirely through the prism of the Lionesses. They are absolutely the most resilient of people. They really want to work so hard and are so committed." REUTERS
