Chloe Kelly scored a dramatic 119th-minute winner as defending champions England came from behind to defeat Italy 2-1 after extra time and book their place in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final.
In a pulsating semi-final in Geneva, the Lionesses fell behind in the first half to a Barbara Bonansea strike but equalised deep into stoppage time through 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang. When Beth Mead was brought down in the box during extra time, Kelly stepped up for the spot kick. Though her initial effort was saved, she reacted first to fire home the rebound and send England through to Sunday’s final in Basel, where they will meet either Spain or Germany.
It was another night of high drama for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who had come from behind to beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-finals. Against Italy, they once again flirted with elimination before producing another late surge.
Italy, appearing in their first semi-final since 2013, defended with discipline and threatened on the break. Their persistence paid off in the 33rd minute when Bonansea took a touch inside the box before smashing the ball into the roof of the net, giving Mary Earps no chance.
England dominated possession from that point on but struggled to find a breakthrough. Too often, their forwards resorted to shots from distance that failed to trouble Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani.
As time ticked away, Agyemang’s introduction proved decisive. The teenager reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box in the 96th minute, lashing in a low finish to force extra time.
She nearly struck again in the second period of extra time, bursting through the Italian defence and lifting a lobbed effort past the keeper, only to see it bounce off the crossbar.
England continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded when Emma Severini fouled Mead in the area. Kelly’s trademark stuttering run-up didn’t produce the desired finish at first, as Giuliani made the save, but the England winger showed composure to tuck away the rebound.
“I just tried my best for the team,” said a relieved Kelly. “It wasn’t supposed to go like that, that penalty, but I was ready for the rebound and ready for any opportunity given to me wearing an England badge.”
England defender Lucy Bronze acknowledged the team’s resilience. “Yeah, we don’t know if it’s the easy way, it seems this tournament, but we find a way to win,” she said. “I think it was the 96th minute and then the 118th minute … we just found a way to get the goals and get the ball in at the last minute.”
For Italy, it was a heartbreaking end to a courageous campaign. Head coach Andrea Soncin said: “Going out like this hurts a lot. Having stood up to the champions should give us a lot of confidence for the future. This evening, for as hard as the girls fought, we definitely deserved a different ending. It’s sad, but I am and we are very proud.”
The result means England will contest their third consecutive major final, having won Euro 2022 and finished runners-up at the 2023 World Cup.