England’s Late Show Leaves Italy Heartbroken in Basel
This semi-final was loaded with tension and the kind of drama that sticks in the memory. England managed to flip the script, snatching victory from Italy with a wild finish most fans only dream about. The Lionesses trailed for nearly an hour after Italy’s Barbara Bonansea broke through on the counterattack in the 33rd minute. Bonansea, always dangerous on the left, turned a rare first-half Italian attack into the opener, capitalizing on a quick transition and sneaking the ball past England keeper Hannah Hampton against the early run of play.
For the next 60 or so minutes, England pressed and probed, dominating possession but making limited progress against a stubborn Italian side that had dropped back into a low 5-4-1 block. Martina Lenzini’s arrival in midfield, replacing the more attack-minded Emma Severini, signaled Italy’s intentions to protect their slim lead at all costs. England, who started Esme Morgan alongside captain Leah Williamson in a reworked central defense, kept knocking on the door but couldn’t find a way through, bogged down in a tangle of blue shirts and one or two nervy moments at the back.
As the clock ticked into the 90th minute, hope for England seemed dim. But enter Michelle Agyemang, the 18-year-old striker whose impact keeps growing with every game. Deep into stoppage time—on 90+6'—Agyemang rose high at the back post and powered home a crucial header, finally beating Italian keeper Laura Giuliani. Agyemang’s equalizer sent the Lionesses’ bench and the traveling England fans into a frenzy, and suddenly, a game that looked lost was wide open again.
Chloe Kelly Delivers Once Again
Extra time had all the hallmarks of another heartbreak or hero moment. Italy, exhausted but defiant, nearly stole it late when Agyemang’s second big chance—a header—thundered off the bar with just minutes left. But it was Chloe Kelly, the hero of the 2022 final, who stepped up when it mattered. In the 119th minute, England won a penalty after Lucy Bronze was clipped darting into the area. Kelly’s spot-kick was blocked superbly by Giuliani, but the rebound fell kindly for her. Kelly didn’t hesitate, poking the ball home for what proved to be the matchwinner.
England’s grit to the final whistle showed again. Hannah Hampton’s double save in the 86th minute, just before Agyemang’s equalizer, underlined the razor-thin margins. Defender Lucy Bronze summed it up later: “We find a way to win... even when it’s not the easy way.” Thanks to those never-say-die qualities, coach Sarina Wiegman is heading into her third straight major tournament final. She already has one EURO title with England and another with the Netherlands in 2017. Now she’s got a shot at a third.
England, riding that wave of momentum, now wait to see if it’s Germany or Spain who’ll meet them in the July 27 finale in Basel. One thing’s clear: after this extra-time rollercoaster, anyone writing off the Lionesses is asking for trouble. Their hunt to defend the Women's EURO 2025 crown just got another famous chapter.
