Latest news with #womensfootball
CNA
2 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Analysis:Super subs save the day again as England go through to Women's Euro 2025 final
GENEVA :Just when England's reign as women's European champions appeared to be coming to an end, their bench cavalry rode to the rescue once more as substitutes Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly got the goals that put them into the Euro 2025 final. Trailing 1-0 deep into second-half stoppage time against Italy in their Euro 2025 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 Sunday's final in Basel. 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 level, and though that game went to a penalty shootout, this time Kelly needed only the rebound from one late spot-kick to send her side through. 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. 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. 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 keeper Laura Giuliani spilled the cross that Agyemang snapped up and converted into an equaliser, and the keeper 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.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Super subs save the day again as England go through to Women's Euro 2025 final
GENEVA, July 22 (Reuters) - Just when England's reign as women's European champions appeared to be coming to an end, their bench cavalry rode to the rescue once more as substitutes Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly got the goals that put them into the Euro 2025 final. Trailing 1-0 deep into second-half stoppage time against Italy in their Euro 2025 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 Sunday's final in Basel. 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 level, and though that game went to a penalty shootout, this time Kelly needed only the rebound from one late spot-kick to send her side through. 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. 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. 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 keeper Laura Giuliani spilled the cross that Agyemang snapped up and converted into an equaliser, and the keeper 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.
France 24
8 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
Putellas and Spain eager to end Germany hoodoo in Women's Euro semi-final
"We are really happy to be in this position. We go into the game full of hope and of course with confidence in ourselves," Putellas told reporters in Zurich on the eve of the semi-final clash. Having won the World Cup in 2023, Spain are now looking to add a first European Championship title and confirm their status as the dominant side in international women's football. While Spain have never been European champions, Germany have a record eight continental crowns and were the leading force in the women's game in the first decade of this century. "We know Germany are one of the best teams in the world and that it will be very difficult, but we will try to get to our first Euro final first of all -- that would be a big success," said Putellas. Spain have never beaten Germany, notably losing when the teams met in the group stage of the 2019 World Cup and at the last Euros in 2022. Germany also came out on top in the bronze medal match at last year's Olympics, but Putellas dismissed suggestions that Wednesday's clash would be about revenge for that. "Personally I see it more as an opportunity for us rather than it being about revenge for the Olympics," said the former Ballon d'Or winner. "The Olympics is a totally different competition. I think we all agree that a Euro or World Cup is a different context altogether so you can't compare them. "But yes we lost against them, and now we have the chance to beat them for the first time." She added: "We know it will be a very difficult game like any semi-final in a major tournament but we are fully motivated to keep advancing and make more history." Spain are without centre-back Laia Aleixandri due to suspension, while Sjoeke Nuesken and Kathrin Hendrich are banned for Germany, the latter following her red card in the quarter-final win over France on penalties. Sarai Linder is injured after coming off early on in that game. "Everyone knows what Spain are like. We are going to have to run a lot and suffer a lot because they are going to have more of the ball," admitted Germany coach Christian Wueck.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Ian Wright 'to make ITV comeback' for Lionesses Euro semi-final against Italy tonight in his first women's game since Eni Aluko row
Ian Wright will make his return to women's football punditry in the Lionesses Euro semi-final against Italy following his heated row with Eni Aluko The Arsenal legend was not included in ITV 's original tournament coverage but is set to be part of the broadcaster's punditry team on Tuesday night The 61-year-old will be joined by former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, ex-England star Karen Carney and presenter Laura Woods as England face Italy at the Stade de Geneve as they bid to reach a second consecutive Euro final. Despite not being involved in the tournament's coverage initially, Wright, a long-time supporter of the women's game, has covered Euro 2025 alongside ex-England captain Steph Houghton on his Crossways podcast. His involvement in the semi-final will mark the first time he has appeared as a pundit for the Lionesses since Eni Aluko accused him of 'blocking' opportunities for female presenters. Former England star Eni Aluko accused Wright of 'blocking opportunities' for female pundits More to follow.
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Sport England chair issues plea to Ofcom after ‘vile' Jess Carter abuse
Sport England chair Chris Boardman has formally raised concerns with government regulator Ofcom regarding the escalating online abuse targeting the England Women's team during Euro 2025. The intervention follows England defender Jess Carter 's decision to step back from social media after revealing she had received "a lot of racial abuse" during the tournament in Switzerland, a matter the Football Association has referred to the police. Boardman's letter, addressed to Dame Melanie Dawes, chief executive of the communications regulator, highlighted a "recent wave of racist and sexist abuse" directed at players. He urged the body to deploy its full powers to tackle online trolls. While acknowledging record levels of engagement and participation in women's sport, Boardman warned that "the toxic culture that persists online, particularly on social media, threatens to undermine this progress". The abuse faced by the athletes 'not only causes personal harm but also sends a damaging message to the next generation of girls who aspire to follow in their footsteps', Boardman wrote. 'Research on behalf of our This Girl Can campaign has shown a fear of judgement is a huge barrier to women being active, and abuse of our elite athletes online only increases reservations amongst those taking part at a community level.' The letter calls on Ofcom to use the powers it has under the Online Safety Act 2023 to address the abuse, saying it has 'a vital role to play'. 'We are particularly interested in how the new codes can be used to address the kind of targeted abuse we are seeing,' Boardman wrote. 'We understand that Ofcom has also issued draft guidance on improving online safety for women and girls, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how these measures can be strengthened and enforced. 'For too long internet trolls have been given free rein by the big tech companies to spread bile and misery, and this cannot be allowed to continue.' Jessica Zucker, online safety director at Ofcom, said: 'No one should have to put up with this kind of vile abuse. The UK's new online safety laws mean tech firms must now take action when they know someone's broken the law on their platform. 'When all the rules are fully in force, the largest social media sites will also have to give users more power to filter out anything that isn't illegal. 'And we've set out ways online services should go further to tackle misogyny and pile-ons that are targeted at women. 'We'll be holding companies to account, but this needs to happen alongside effective education and law enforcement against the individuals who post illegal abuse.'
