With a combination of relentless pressure and ball control, England’s quick start had Le Azzurre on the defensive and making early errors.
Lucy Bronze, making her 35th major tournament appearance (the joint most ever with Jill Scott), was fortunate to escape with just a warning for a reckless challenge as the Lionesses aimed to assert their dominance.
A brilliant England play saw Lauren James connect with Lauren Hemp’s cross in the 10th minute, but her shot only reached the gloves of Laura Giuliani.
Although Sarina Wiegman’s team maintained the tempo, the Italians were at least making some progress upfront, led by their outstanding captain Cristiana Girelli.
The outlet to Hemp was consistently available, and her crosses into the box frequently unsettled the Italian defense, Alessia Russo came close to netting her first goal of the tournament.
A crowded midfield meant that long balls over the top and wide became a common tactic for both teams, and as England’s intensity waned, Arianna Caruso emerged as a more significant presence for Italy.
Neither she nor any of her teammates had touched the ball in the Lionesses’ area in the opening half-hour, yet less than two minutes later, Barbara Bonansea smashed the ball into the top of the net – the fifth time in five Women’s Euros matches that Italy had taken the lead.
That opening goal energized the crowd, and both teams accelerated their play as half-time neared. James came close again, but England’s passing had become sluggish and predictable, and it was Italy that ended the half much stronger, with Lucia Di Guglielmo completing as many dribbles (three) as all other players on the field combined.
The second half began as the first ended, and Hannah Hampton needed to stay alert as Italy posed a threat, while Hemp failed to connect properly with a cross when well-positioned before nearly delivering minutes later.
Girelli resumed her role as the conductor of the Italian team, easily finding her teammates and stretching the Lionesses at every opportunity, though she would be substituted just after the hour due to injury.
Intentionally slowing down play and wasting time soon became a hallmark of the Italian strategy as England sought to regain control of the game, but despite holding nearly two-thirds of possession with 20 minutes remaining, they struggled to penetrate a resolute Italian defense.
Nervousness began to set in as the clock approached full-time, and England could feel unfortunate to have a chance cleared off the line late on.
Nevertheless, they pressed forward and with two minutes of stoppage time left, teenage substitute Michelle Agyemang scored the equalizer.
With four attackers on the pitch during extra time, England played much more expansively and kept Italy’s defense under pressure.
Agyemang’s movement was troublesome, and fellow substitute Chloe Kelly deserved a goal after a fantastic slaloming run.
Exhausted as an attacking force, Italy again fell back and appeared to be hoping for a penalty shootout as their players grew weary and England raised the intensity once more.
With four minutes remaining, Agyemang nearly secured the win for England with a looping shot that hit the crossbar, but moments later, Emma Severini brought down Beth Mead in the penalty area.
Chloe Kelly was given the responsibility from the spot, and although her penalty was well saved by Giuliani, she tapped in the rebound to send England to the final.
In doing so, Wiegman becomes only the second manager to guide a national team to three consecutive Women’s European Championship finals, ending Italy’s dominance over the Lionesses in this competition.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Cristiana Girelli(Italy)
Links
Contact
App
