Archive July 23, 2025

The Lionesses appear to have an infinite number of lives at Euro 2025, contrary to the saying that “cats have nine lives.”

After suffering a subpar opening-game defeat by France, they stepped up in a must-win contest against the Netherlands, defeated Sweden 2-0, and made it through a penalty shootout where they saved four spot kicks.

Then, with just a few seconds left in their semi-final against Italy, they turned things around and won 2-1 in extra time to advance to a third successive major final.

Everything was chaotic, dramatic, and, as is customary, late.

On their way to the Euro 2025 final, England’s resilience and ability to overcome hardship have been constant themes.

They faced setbacks even before arriving in Switzerland.

Conversations dominated when it should have been about the Lionesses’ fight for their European title and how they would escape a difficult group.

Prior to Wiegman’s squad announcement on June 5th, she had two senior international retirements and the departure of her World Cup captain to contend with.

On the day of Wiegman’s squad announcement, Millie Bright declared that she is unable to “give 100% mentally or physically,” and midfielder Fran Kirby followed suit on May 27.

Despite the unsettling period, Wiegman had to insist there was “no crisis” heading into the tournament with a combined 217 caps between the three.

Hannah Hampton was the only capped goalkeeper in the squad, and two senior Earps and Bright players, Earps and Bright, did not travel to Switzerland, raising the question of whether there was enough experience.

It was always going to be simpler to say than to do to leave the group stage.

With England’s adversaries including 2017 champions the Netherlands and heavyweights France, optimism was low.

England needed to start strong against France, but things didn’t go as planned.

England’s shaky defense was brutally exposed in a 2-1 defeat at Stadion Letzigrund.

The Lionesses became the first reigning champions to lose their first game at the women’s Euros tournament after being outpaced and outplayed.

England, however, delivered when the pressure was on.

Their tournament would have ended if they had defeated the Netherlands, but they did so thanks to an impressive 4-0 victory over the Dutch, continuing their quest for Euro 2025.

As a result of Wiegman’s tactical adjustments paying off, Lauren James scored twice and Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone also had goals.

England resurrected their quarter-final spot with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Wales four days later, gaining the confidence boost they needed.

With a draw drawn outcome of second place in Group D, England faced Sweden in the quarter-finals, avoiding old rivals Germany, and defeating Spain, who won the 2023 World Cup, in the draw.

That must have been a good thing, right?

However, Sweden won all three of their group games while only conceding one more goal than any other team.

England was 2-0 up and tied for second within 25 minutes.

In Zurich, experienced defender Lucy Bronze and 19-year-old forward Michelle Agyemang both scored in the final 11 minutes to make extra time happen.

Sweden twice failed to convert when it would have won, leading to a breathtaking penalty shootout, and England stumbled over the line to win the game.

After the game, Wiegman said, “At least three times, I thought we were out.”

“This team is incredible, I don’t know why, but I don’t know why.” They are united. They take the necessary steps to reverse our behavior.

In a joint statement, the Lionesses said they would “find another way to combat racism” by halting the anti-racism gesture of taking a knee before games.

Fare, the head of the world’s largest anti-discrimination organization, questioned England’s decision to stop performing what it considered a “powerful anti-racist act,” but Wiegman defended her players, saying the “impact was not good enough.”

Esme Morgan joined Carter in the starting XI after Wiegman made her debut in four games and left Carter out of the starting XI.

However, Italy’s semi-final victory on Tuesday gave England the biggest scare.

The underdogs, who were eight places below England in the world rankings and who had to make their first semi-final since 1997, were the winners.

Wiegman hoped to reach a fifth successive major final as manager while England were aiming for a third straight title.

However, Barbara Bonansea and Italy’s shock lead in Geneva was not read as the script.

Only Hampton’s double save prevented England from going up to 2-0 late in the second half. Then, wiegman’s substitutes performed another magic, with Kelly scoring the winning goal in extra-time after Agyemang scored a stoppage-time equalizer.

Wiegman described it as a movie, and Kelly said it would be an extraordinary fantasy that you couldn’t replace.

Even after cutting a corner straight into the side-netting in stoppage time and having her penalty saved, she was one of the coolest guys in Stade de Geneve.

But she jumped out and punched the rebound over the line as quickly as she could, beating team-mate Ella Toone, before gesturing to the crowd to “colllapse” with her celebration.

She was completely aware of it.

The most recent women’s Euros goal scored was her 119th-minute winner.

England’s most recent goal on record in regular time of a Euros was Teenager Agyemang’s equalizer at 95:01.

In the 88th minute, Wiegman said, “We do have to score now otherwise we’ll have a problem and we’ll have to fly home tomorrow.”

When I saw that there was seven minutes of stoppage time, we had time to create a second chance. We had to keep moving because the clock kept ticking. The team maintains its resolve.

England thinks they can cross the final hurdle because they have already passed this point.

This is England, not world champion Spain or Euro 2022 champion Germany who will follow.

“This team is made up of three major championships in a row and the Euros final once more proves that.” We fight until the end, defender Bronze said.

The Russo and Toone of this year are Kelly and Agyemang.

Following England’s dramatic Euro 2025 semi-final victory over Italy, a text sent by a BBC Sport user perfectly sums it up.

The Lionesses heavily relied on their super subs, particularly Alessia Russo and Ella Toone, to win Euro 2022 three years ago.

The duo did not start a match at that tournament, but they did in all six games.

The most a substitute has ever scored in a Women’s European Championship game has ever been a goal, with Toone scoring two goals from the bench, including one in the final.

A new double act is emerging in 2025, establishing themselves as a force for Sarina Wiegman’s side to reach yet another significant tournament final.

Chloe Kelly, the forward for Arsenal, has started three substitute games for Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly has started three of England’s matches so far in Switzerland.

The pair played a key role in England’s passage to the semi-final and final once more.

When England defeated Sweden 2-0 in the quarter-final, both players scored. Lucy Bronze scored the equaliser in the 81st minute thanks to Kelly’s assist, which also helped make the score 2-0. Kelly also scored in the shootout to advance to the last four of England’s three players.

England were once more left behind in a game that lasted five days, and Wiegman had to use her bench, particularly Kelly and Agyemang, to save the day.

Agyemang, a teenager, kept England in the game, and the 19-year-old equalized in normal time’s 96th minute to make extra time.

Agyemang made just one senior appearance before the tournament, making him a hot commodity in Wiegman’s Euro 2025 squad.

She scored just 41 seconds after being introduced to Belgium on her April debut.

After adding Agyemang to the 23-man squad, Wiegman inquired if she might be a “wildcard” off the bench. “Yes, I think so, I think so. We’ll see what she can bring.

She can bring something new, I’ve seen her in training sessions and in Belgium. I’m hoping she can demonstrate that.

Agyemang clearly demonstrated her abilities to Wiegman.

She scored twice in Switzerland to earn her second goal since Cecilie Pedersen for Norway in 2009, making her the first teenager to do so twice.

The 19-year-old claims she is unsure of how she manages to save England when it is most in need.

She said, “I don’t know,” after the game in Geneva. By God’s grace, that is. I’m so happy to be able to say I’m a part of this team because we are doing amazing things together.

Leah Williamson, England’s captain, said: “She feels inevitable right now. She was replaced by her Arsenal team-mate Agyemang.”

She has good qualities. She is a nightmare to play against, despite what she brings. She makes a great teammate for both my club and my country. I hope she enjoys tonight and is all set to go over the weekend. She deserves her flowers.

Agyemang is 19 years old, in a semi-final of the European Championship, and she played like she had spent many years with her team-mates, according to BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha, who backed her to win.

She is a true star, she says.

When Agyemang lobbed the goalkeeper and hit the crossbar moments before Kelly’s penalty, she almost scored a second for Italy.

Ellen White, England’s record goalscorer, said, “She nearly got the winner.

The 119th minute winner by Kelly against Italy was the most recent Women’s Euros victory.

After a difficult time with Manchester City, the forward, who signed permanently for Arsenal before the 2025 World Cup, said she was considering leaving the sport.

She was recalled to Wiegman’s England squad after joining Arsenal on loan. She and the Lionesses are now reaping the rewards.

After the game, Kelly said, “You’re so happy for these moments where I felt like giving up football and make you appreciate them forever.”

According to Bronze, Kelly, who famously scored the winning goal for England in the famous match against Germany at Wembley to defeat the country to win Euro 2022, has “made a difference” in every game in Switzerland.

She did it as well before the final Euros, according to Bronze. She recovered from an ACL injury and scored the winning goal in the Euros final, but we forget.

She has been doing it week in and week out, and all she has is a confidence and attitude that I can’t buy.

She hasn’t started any games, but she has every single game started and changed people. That’s for sure one of the players you want on your team and not the other team.

Laura Giuliani had initially saved Kelly’s penalty, but she did so without resuming the shootout.

England record-scorer Ellen White told BBC Radio 5 Live, “Thankfully Chloe Kelly had the composure to sprint and tuck it under the goalkeeper.” “To remain calm and follow up.

Wiegman was asked if Agyemang is forcing herself into her starting lineup for the final after the match.

She won’t try to force me, Wiegman claimed. She is prepared for the request and is very grateful. Her development and growth occurred naturally. From joining our team to not starting at Brighton, getting lots of more minutes, and demonstrating her talent. She feels very good about how things turned out for her.

What do BBC Sport readers think about Kelly and Agyemang’s merits starting on July 27 in Basel?

Please allow us to get Kelly and Agyemang’s starting 11 right on Sunday, Stephen. They must both begin. And in the pressure games, James just stops moving.

Rich: Chloe Kelly has a strong game. She is always involved in some things on the pitch. should have a clear advantage over James. There must be a quicker substitution. Sometimes managers mistake their managerial skills for being overly clever.

Anon: Yes, we are still in, but I don’t understand SW’s substitutions. At half-time, Kelly should have started. And why did Agyemang and Beever-Jones come on so late?

Jas: Kelly and Agyemang must start. This is the second time they have changed.