How history-chasing Italy can threaten England at Euro 2025

Italy’s semi-final spot, which the Lionesses won on penalties, is now in Italy’s hands, preventing England from reaching a third successive major tournament final.

It would be foolish to underestimate Sarina Wiegman’s side, who would be the favorites to advance, despite their impressive performance against Norway in the last eight.

Italy is 13th overall in the Fifa world rankings, eight places below England, but they have never been 19th since Fifa began its women’s rankings in 2003.

In the past decade, Wiegman’s side and le Azzurre have met three times. In February of that year, the Lionesses won the Arnold Clark Cup with a 2-1 record, before suffering a 5-1 defeat in a friendly. In 2017, the sides drew 1-1 in a friendly.

Italy finished second in Group B, trailing only Spain, who had triumphed internationally.

Their 1-1 draw with Portugal resulted in an 89th minute equalizer before their campaign began with a 1-0 victory over Belgium.

Portugal’s failure to defeat Belgium on matchday three contributed little to the 3-1 defeat by Spain on matchday three.

Before Cristiana Girelli broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, Italy were the better team for the majority of their quarter-final against Norway.

Italy participated in every edition except the 1995 competition, which was one of four that year.

Since 1997, they haven’t advanced to the semi-finals, losing to Germany in the final.

Their best World Cup performance came in France in 2019 when Milena Bertolini’s team defeated former runners-up China to reach the quarter-finals.

Although the sport’s original focus on women’s football was established in Italy in 1968, it only recently began to become fully professional and expand exponentially.

The Italian Football Federation made a commitment to professionalize Serie A Femminile by the start of the 2022-23 season after winning hearts by reaching the 2019 Women’s World Cup quarter-finals.

Without the foundations laid by pioneers like Carolina Morace and Patrizia Panico, however, such a historic moment would not have been possible.

One of the first women’s soccer superstars, Morace overcame sexism and institutional restraints to lead Italy to its first Women’s World Cup and six European Championships.

It’s unlikely that she would have been the first woman to record a hat-trick in a Women’s World Cup between 1987-88 and 1997-98.

Italy have scored first in each of their four appearances in Switzerland, despite only scoring three goals in the group stages.

In the opening period of the game against Norway, Andrea Soncin’s side had command of the ball and quickly switched from defense to attack.

England’s defense has already struggled with the forward movements of France and Sweden, which has been a source of concern since the World Cup in 2023.

“Load the line in Italian.” Former England defender Anita Asante commented on BBC One on how they “did it really well” and “the Norwegians simply couldn’t deal with how they stretched the game.”

Italy prefers to have the widest pitch possible. Their wide receivers hugged the touchline, making substitute left-back Guro Reiten unable to lead attacks against Norway. Similar methods might be used to pin back England full-backs Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood.

Italy demonstrated the conflict, hunger, and belief. Asante remarked that they also reflect the expansion of Italian women’s football.

Italy’s celebrations following the game were picked up by former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.

Italy were celebrating as if they had almost won the tournament, which is important because they will be proud of it as a team and nation because of that.

Why do they not think they can win another game and compete for the entire trophy?

Having said that, Norway did not capitalize on the second half, and Italy did appear to be sluggish during the second half. Leah Williamson, England’s captain, hobbled off after an awkward landing on her ankle, and England needed extra time and penalties to defeat Sweden.

Former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie said on BBC Radio 5 Live, “I just think we’re starting to see that lethargic side from Italy, as you would expect in the fourth game of this tournament.”

Without a shadow of a doubt, Girelli, the captain and linchpin, who finished second and third against Norway, is unstoppable.

The first was adroitly guiding a fizzing low cross into the far corner, and the second was a well-placed header that glared in off the crossbar.

She is about to end her career at the age of 35, but her three tournament goals suggest that she has something more to offer.

Corsie remarked, “That’s why she has the reputation she does.” She has a long history of success. She is aware of the location of the back of the internet.

Sofia Cantore, a 10-year-old clubmate, has been another outstanding performer on Wednesday, offering both assists.