Cliff Notes
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England staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Italy 2-1 in extra time, with Michelle Agyemang equalising in the 96th minute and Chloe Kelly scoring the winner from a rebound penalty in the 116th minute.
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Italy dominated much of the match, leading until Agyemang’s last-minute goal, while England’s keeper Hannah Hampton made key saves to keep the team in contention.
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With this victory, England advances to their third major final in a row, facing either Spain or Germany, prompting a selection dilemma for manager Sarina Wiegman regarding starting line-up changes.
England through to Women’s Euros final after beating Italy in extra time | UK News
Defending champions England have produced another stunning comeback to beat Italy 2-1 in extra time in the semi-finals of the Women’s Euros.
The Lionesses looked certain to be knocked out of the tournament as they trailed 1-0 with less than a minute left of the game at the Stade de Geneve in Switzerland.
However, 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang scored a last-gasp equaliser in the 96th minute to send the game into extra time.
A brilliant double save from England keeper Hannah Hampton had kept her side in the tie around 10 minutes earlier.
Italy had been the better team for much of the game following Barbara Bonansea’s goal in the 33rd minute, but England had the momentum in extra time as they fought for a winning goal.
The game was decided after England forward Beth Mead was brought down in the area in the 116th minute and the Lionesses were awarded a penalty.
Chloe Kelly had her initial spot kick saved before she followed it up to slot in the rebound.
The game was arguably even more dramatic than England’s quarter finals victory where they came from 2-0 down to equalise and then beat Sweden on penalties – with Agyemang equalising in the 81st minute of that tie.
England, who have reached their third major final in a row, will now play the winners of Wednesday’s semi-final between Spain and Germany.
Whoever they play, the final at St Jakob-Park in Basel will be a repeat fixture of England finals in recent years.
The Lionesses lost 1-0 to Spain in the final of the Women’s World Cup in Sydney in 2023.
A year earlier the Lionesses beat Germany in the final of Euro 2022 after Kelly scored an extra-time winner.
Super-subs do it again for England
The Lionesses’ victory was once again secured with help from the bench.
Agyemang didn’t even enter the field of play until the 85th minute, while Kelly came on in the 77th.
Both players were also impactful substitutes when they were brought on late in the quarter-finals clash against Sweden.
Kelly assisted England’s first goal to make it 2 – 1 in that game, while Agyemang’s strike minutes later made it 2 – 2.
Kelly also scored her penalty in the shootout that decided the quarter-final.
A selection headache for Sarina?
Many will feel England boss Sarina Wiegman has some deep thinking to do about who will make the starting line-up for Sunday’s final.
Some of the team’s regular starters have now clocked up a lot of minutes by playing into extra time two games in a row.
Meanwhile, Agyemang and Kelly have arguably justified a place in the starting line-up for the final.