Italy-England 1-2, the Lionesses eliminate the Azzurre in extra time

Geneva (Switzerland), 22 July 2025 - The Italian women's team saw their European Championship dream vanish at the end of a real battle against England . The Azzurre fell in the semifinals to the defending champions only in extra time, with the final score 2-1 in favor of the lionesses. Andrea Soncin 's girls were just two minutes away from realizing their dream of reaching the final, a dream they haven't had since 1997: Barbara Bonansea 's goal in the 33rd minute was answered in the 95th minute by Michelle Agyemang , who extended the match beyond regulation time. With little energy left, Italy held on admirably until the 119th minute, when a penalty awarded for a foul by Severini allowed Chloe Kelly to score the final 2-1. Giuliani's penalty save was useless, with Kelly herself tapping it back into the net after being hypnotized from eleven meters.

Match report First half

Italy began the match with numerous technical errors, most likely due to the high tension of this match, which was crucial for the Azzurre. England pushed hard and controlled possession in their opponents' half, but failed to create any real scoring opportunities at this stage. In the 10th minute, James fired with the outside of his right foot after a cross from the wing, but Giuliani calmly blocked it. Soncin's girls gained confidence as the minutes ticked by and began to push forward in the opposition half, though they still made a few mistakes. The Italians had to be wary of Russo , who somehow controlled the penalty area in the 19th minute and quickly turned in the area: his right-footed shot went just inches wide. England's momentum waned after this chance, thanks in part to Italy, who were now decidedly more in the game. The Azzurre managed to break the deadlock with their first real attempt on goal. In the 32nd minute, Cantore plays a duet down the right flank, reaches the byline, and delivers a powerful cross that puts the opposing defense on edge. Girelli stretches but can't reach it, while Bonansea controls it behind him and volleys it left-footed into the net. Hampton can't do anything about it, picking the ball up. England reacts immediately to quell their fears, but they run into the powerful hands of Giuliani , who thwarts the threat from James 's attempt in the 37th minute. The first half ends 1-0.

Second half

The pace at the start of the second half was frenetic, with both teams racing back and forth across the pitch. In the 52nd minute, Cantore raced into the English penalty area, his position offside, and the goalkeeper safely cleared the ball. Wiegman 's women stepped up their game, frequently appearing in the final sixteen meters of the Italian pitch. The Azzurre were now gritting their teeth and also having to make up for the absence of Girelli , who was replaced with a muscle strain in the 64th minute. Soncin looked to his bench to bring in fresh players. Italy now played mostly counterattacks, and in the 78th minute, Piemonte failed to get a precise header on a powerful Caruso cross. England came very close to equalizing in the 80th minute when Di Guglielmo saved a tap-in on the goal line following a corner. Breaking the siege was a huge chance for the win that Severini failed to capitalize on in the 85th minute, on a loose ball in the six-yard box following a corner; Hampton , already down after a previous save, grabbed the ball and saved. In the closing stages, during the fifth minute of seven minutes of added time, the English players leveled the score. Giuliani failed to hold onto a dangerous ball, leaving the ball central and playable for Agyemang , who scored the equalizer that sent the match into extra time.

Extra time

The pace gradually slows. There's a lot of fatigue on the pitch, and quality could now make the difference. Kelly tries to rise to the occasion, skipping past three Italian players in the 97th minute and, fortunately for the defense, shooting wide of Giuliani 's goal. The errors increase, and the Italians seem more fatigued than the Lionesses, who try to close out the match before the penalty shootout. Agyemang continues to be a thorn in the side of Soncin 's defense. The Englishman shows off his physicality and hits the crossbar in the 115th minute. The danger escaped isn't enough for Italy to avoid defeat. Shortly after, in the 119th minute, Severini commits a foul in his own penalty area and awards a penalty to the opposition. Kelly steps up to the spot, is hypnotized by Giuliani, but rebounds after the Italian goalkeeper parries.

The match scoresheet

Italy (5-4-1): Giuliani; Oliviero, Lenzini (89' Piga), Salvai, Linari, Di Guglielmo; Cantore (73' Cambiaghi), Caruso, Giugliano (89' Greggi), Bonansea (73' Severini); Girelli (64' Piemonte) England (4-3-3): Hampton; Bronze, Williamson (85' Agyemang), Morgan, Greenwood; Toone, Walsh (106' Clinton), Stanway (78' Kelly); James (46' Mead), Russo (85' Beever-Jones), Hemp. Goalscorers: Bonansea (33' Ita), Agyemang (90+6'), Kelly (119') Match referee: Ivana Martincic. Yellow cards: Giuliani (Ita), Mead (90') Red cards: -

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