Article Written By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND(SMI-GLOBAL-WOMEN-SPORTS-JULY 02-27, 2025)-World-ranked FIFA#5 & UEFA Women's Euro reigning champions "England" defeated #13, Italy 2-1,
in a thriller ending and during Extra-time in the semifinal match of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland.

With the historic 2-1, victory, The English advance to the final championship match to defend its title, and face the winner between Spain and Germany of the other semifinal on Sunday July 27, at St. Jakob-Park, in Basel, Switzerland.

The Lionesses and UEFA defending champions outperformed the Italians in the game-stats with 59%-41% in possession, 83%-75% pass accuracy, 24-11, on shots to goals and  7-5, on shots on target to overcome the score and finish victorious.

The English went to attack as soon the referee blew her whistle, and on its second counter-attack through the left-side above midfield, defender Alex Greenwood centered the ball inside the penalty box intended to forward Alessia Russo, who against three-defenders shot a right-footed to goal hitting wide off the right goalpost at 19' mark. 

Italy answered back with its own major offensive attack and opened the score through midfielder Barbara Bonansea to put the "Le Azzurre" in front 1-0, at 33' mark.

The goal-play was originated on a fast-break by forward Sofia Cantore through the right-side field, passed the ball to Arianna Caruso back to Cantore on the 18' line-box and sent a cross pass to Barbara Bonansea who shot a left-footed missile towards the upper middle of the goal and scored to send the Italian players, bench and fans in wild celebration for 1-0, Italy at the half.

England began the second half with two straight counter-attacks reaching the Italian's goal on the first seven minute. Midfielder Ella Toone through the right-side field centered the ball inside the 18' to striker Lauren Hemp who a header went over the crossbar for a goal-kick at 50' mark and 2' later, Toone again inside the penalty box passed the ball to Hemp who shot a right-footed but it was saved in the top centre of the goalkeeper Laura Giuliani.

The defending champions took over the midfield and kept the pressure for the entire second half with continuous offensive attack through the right, center and left-side field in search of the equalizer until striker Michelle Agyemang who entered from the bench at 85', scored the tying goal at 90+5' to level the game 1-1, and send the both teams in 2-extra 15' period. 

The goal was originated through the right-side field, forward Chloe Kelly sent a left-footed inside the 6-yard box bouncing-off goalkeeper Laura Giulani's body to Michelle Agyemang who a shot right-footed canon ending in back of the net to tie the game. 

In the second 15' period,  striker Michelle Agyemang received a long ball from back-field and on a fast-break between two-defenders tried to score with a blooping shot between the goalkeeper Laura Giulani and goal hitting the crossbar onto the field at 116' mark.

The Lionesses kept the pressure and were eager to score the winning goal before the time expire and avoid going to penalty shoot-out. Forward Lauren Hemp during a counter-attack through the left-side field, sent the ball inside the penalty box but Italy's Emma Severini fouled English's Beth Mead for a penalty call by the referee.

The penalty-kick was executed by striker Chloe Kelly who shot a right-footed saved by goalkeeper Laura Giulani and scored in the rebound with a left-footed to seal the 2-1, victory for the English over Italy.

England advance to the final championship title game to defend its crown against the winner between Spain vs Germany next Sunday July 27, at St. Jakob-Park, in Basel, Switzerland.