Women's Euro 2025: England Reach Final After Dramatic Win Over Italy
England coach Sarina Wiegman felt "many emotions" after her team staged a dramatic 2-1 comeback against Italy in extra time, securing a spot in the Women's Euro 2025 final.
England coach Sarina Wiegman expressed she felt 'many emotions" after her team staged another dramatic comeback to defeat Italy in extra time on Tuesday, securing their place in the final of the Women's Euro 2025.
'I have many emotions again. I feel relief, I feel happy — it feels a bit surreal but we are here and we are going to the final," Wiegman said following their 2-1 victory in Geneva, achieved through Chloe Kelly's goal in the 119th minute.
Italy were mere seconds away from a stunning victory over the defending champions and a spot in the final, as they led deep into injury time thanks to Barbara Bonansea's 33rd-minute goal.
However, substitute Michelle Agyemang equalised for England in the sixth minute of stoppage time, forcing extra time. Kelly, who also came off the bench, then scored the decisive goal after her penalty was initially saved, just as another shoot-out loomed.
'It does feel like a movie. When it finishes like that I am enjoying it but it was a little bit dramatic," Wiegman smiled.
Her team had already staged a remarkable comeback against Sweden in the quarter-finals, trailing 2-0 before goals by Lucy Bronze and Agyemang in the space of three minutes late on forced extra time, leading to a victory on penalties.
'We know with the players we have in the squad that we can always score more because we have shown that multiple times," Wiegman added.
'At the end we did it and then we got extra time, and then we got the penalty. We were a bit lucky to score it in the second stage but we are through."
A Hat-Trick
England, who saw winger Lauren James exit at half-time with an ankle injury, will now head to Basel for the final on Sunday against either Spain or Germany — who meet in their last-four clash on Wednesday.
It will be the third consecutive major tournament final for the Lionesses, who beat Germany in extra time in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley but lost to Spain in the deciding game at the following year's World Cup in Sydney.
'That is what happens when a great team comes together and makes things happen — three consecutive finals playing under an unbelievable manager in Sarina," said Kelly, the Arsenal forward who scored the winner in the 2022 Euro final.
'It is incredible to be part of this special team. I am so proud."
She added: 'I can't believe what has just happened. The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special."
Meanwhile, Italy coach Andrea Soncin stated he was proud of his team despite the heartbreak of falling just short of reaching their first final since the 1997 Euros.
'It hurts but we are very proud of all that we have done," said Soncin, who took charge of the team in 2023 and is now focusing on the 2027 World Cup.
'The fact we were just a minute away from the final can be encouraging for us.
'We will need a few days to get over this bitter moment but we will keep growing, and our future goal is to go to the World Cup in Brazil so we are already looking forward."
With AFP Inputs
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