England substitutes click again as Lionesses reach Euro 2025 final

Irish Examiner

4 days ago

Super-sub Chloe Kelly fired England into the Euro 2025 final in extra time as the defending champions completed another spectacular comeback to beat Italy 2-1 in Geneva.
Barbara Bonansea stunned the England support into silence when she opened the scoring in the 33rd minute for the underdog Italians, who had reached their first European semi-final in 28 years.
The Lionesses, in their sixth straight major tournament final four appearance, were on the brink of elimination when 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang once again came off the bench and rescued Sarina Wiegman's side with a second-half stoppage-time equaliser.
England's Michelle Agyemang, right, celebrates her equaliser (Nick Potts/PA)
England were gifted a penalty late in the second period of extra time and, though Kelly's initial attempt was saved, the Arsenal forward made no mistake with her second opportunity when she emphatically buried the rebound.
Wiegman made just one change from the Sweden victory, handing Esme Morgan her first start of the tournament in place of Jess Carter.
The England boss, speaking before kick-off, said the change was purely tactical and not related to the racist abuse Carter revealed she received during this tournament.
The Lionesses, in solidarity with Carter – who was warmly received when she came on as a late extra-time substitute – had elected against taking the knee before this contest, instead standing, arms linked.
England stood in solidarity with Jess Carter, centre (Nick Potts/PA)
England got out to a bright start, dominating possession, but neither goalkeeper tasted action until just after the 10th minute when Lauren James poked Lauren Hemp's cross straight at Italy's Laura Giuliani.
Alessia Russo then had a chance to fire England out in front, bringing down a ball that Italy had let bounce in their 18-yard box, but flashed wide. It was an opportunity England would rue when Bonansea netted the opener.
The underdogs took advantage when Arianna Caruso got the better of Alex Greenwood then Morgan on the right flank, allowing Martina Lenzini and Sofia Cantore to play a one-two.
Cantore then sent in a cross, which evaded an outstretched Italian boot and looked to graze the thigh of Lucy Bronze before reaching Bonansea, who took her time picking out a spot over the helpless Hampton's left shoulder.
Barbara Bonansea, right, scores Italy's opener (Nick Potts/PA)
James, picked out by Hemp, looked for an immediate reply but Giuliani palmed away the effort.
James was replaced at half-time by Beth Mead and was later spotted icing her foot.
Hampton was called into action to deny Cantore and though a frustrated England applied more pressure in the second half, they still lacked the clinical edge they needed to find the back of the net.
Kelly arrived on the scene in the 77th minute before Bronze had a header cleared off the line, and, with five minutes remaining, Wiegman turned to her young guns, replacing Leah Williamson and Russo with Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones.
It paid off in the sixth of seven minutes of stoppage time when – just as it looked like the 'kitchen sink' approach could not possibly pay off again – Agyemang drew the sides level.
Giuliani had just palmed away a cross and the loose ball landed in the perfect position for the alert Agyemang to take a loose first touch but then smash home and force extra time.
England were knocking on the door when Agyemang hit the bar with a deft lob from a difficult angle in the second period of added time.
Another shoot-out was beginning to feel inevitable but England were gifted a chance to close out the contest with a single penalty when Beth Mead was tugged down by Emma Severini.
Up stepped Kelly, who memorably scored the extra-time winner in the Wembley final three summers ago.
Giuliani made the initial stop but the Arsenal forward would not be denied a second chance to write more history for her never-say-die side, burying the rebound and booking England a trip to Sunday's final in Basel.