Chloe Kelly scores last-minute winner to send Lionesses to Euro 2025 final | Football
Chloe Kelly scored from a rebounded penalty in the 119th minute for England to beat Italy 2-1 and reach the final of Euro 2025.
After Italy opened the scoring, Michelle Agyemang equalised in the sixth minute of injury-time to send the match to extra-time.
With penalties looming, Beth Mead won a spot-kick in the dying seconds and though Laura Giuliani saved Kelly’s penalty, the super sub squeezed in the rebound to win a thrilling clash in Geneva.
Much of the build-up to the game was dominated by the online racist abuse aimed at Jess Carter, with Sarina Wiegman opting to bench the defender for ‘tactical’ reasons.
Ahead of kick-off, the Lionesses chose not to take the knee, instead the substitutes, Carter included, stood arm-in-arm pitchside.
England were largely on top in the first-half, with Lauren Hemp creating chances for fun down the left-flank, but neither Alessia Russo nor Lauren James could find the back of the net.
Italy defended sternly and always looked dangerous on the break and got their reward in the 33rd minute when Barbara Bonansea met a cross at the far post and smashed the ball past Hannah Hampton.
Mead replaced the injured James at the break and the Lionesses continued to create chance after chance but just lacked clinicalness with Hemp spurning several golden opportunities from close-range.
Credit must go to Italy, who tactically and defensively frustrated their opponents, with goalkeeper Laura Giuliani barely putting a hand wrong – until the 96th minute.
As she did against Sweden, super sub Agyemang pounced on a defensive mix up and smashed an equaliser in from close range.
The teenager hit the bar in extra-time with another penalty shootout on the cards, only for Mead to be brought down in the box, gifting Kelly the chance to win the match.
Giuliani denied her from the spot but Kelly pounced to turn the ball in and send the Lionesses through to a third consecutive major tournament final where they’ll play either Germany or Spain.
Relive all the action with Metro’s LIVE blog:
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When is the Euro 2025 final?
Goodbye!
That wraps up our LIVE coverage of the Euro 2025 semi-final between England and Italy.
We’ll be back on Sunday when the Lionesses take on either Germany or Spain in the final for the chance to be crowned European champions.
Until then, here’s the moment England reached the final.
The King congratulates Lionesses
A message from the King:
‘My wife and I join all our family in wishing you, the proud Lionesses, our warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the Euros tournament.
‘Your journey to this stage has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing the skill, determination (and test of nerve!) for which your team is so rightly celebrated.
‘Knowing the Lionesses’ fighting spirit, I suspect we are in for another thrilling encounter on Sunday. Your achievements continue to inspire countless girls and women across the nation, proving once again that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible.
‘Good luck, England. May you roar to victory once more. Charles R’
England fans rejoice
England player ratings
Overall a great performance from the Lionesses, much better then the quarter-final against Sweden.
Find out who stood out and whose place in the final is at risk here:
Kelly: ‘We have the belief and quality to win’
Let’s hear from England’s hero, Chloe Kelly: ‘It feels unbelievable. Such a great feeling. This team deserves nothing but that. Three finals on the bounce and we want more.
‘It [the penalty] wasn’t supposed to go like that but obviously the keeper had done her homework. We go back to the drawing board and keep practicing those penalties. Luckily I got there for the tap-in.
‘We have the hope, we have the belief and we have the quality so we just need to keep at it, and keep working hard at training to make sure we’re right next weekend.’
Asked about fellow super sub Michelle Agyemang, Kelly says: ‘She’s unbelievable, she should have scored again when she hit the cross bar. She’s got the world at her feet. A young player with a bright future. I’m absolutely buzzing for her.’
Kelly’s 119th minute winner
Here’s the moment England booked their place in the final
England through to Euro 2025 final
Sweet Caroline booms around Geneva.
I can’t believe what I’ve just watched.
Full-time! England 2-1 Italy
ENGLAND ARE THROUGH TO THE EURO 2025 FINAL!!!
123 mins: England 2-1 Italy
Jess carter is on for the final few minutes to help see out the game.
A few minutes remain…
GOAL! England 2-1 Italy (Kelly)
Kelly steps up… but the penalty is saved!
But the rebound isn’t!
118 mins: England 1-1 Italy
PENALTY ENGLAND!!!
Mead is hauled to the ground right in front of the referee!
117 mins: England 1-1 Italy
Off the bar!
Agyemang get on the end of a long ball, shirks off her defender and chips the keeper… but the ball bounces off the bar!
112 mins: England 1-1 Italy
Bronze gives away a free-kick in a dangerous area…
Good ball in but Hampton claims.
109 mins: England 1-1 Italy
Oh what a save!
Kelly goes for goal.. from a corner!
Giuliani claws it away at the far post for another corner. The next set-piece is conventional and Giuliani claims the ball after a Bronze header.
106 mins: England 1-1 Italy
An England sub before we restart. Walsh is off and Clinton takes her place in midfield.
Extra-time half-time! England 1-1 Italy
Both sets of players are struggling now. It’s been a long tiring game.
15 minutes for someone to find a winner or it’s penalties
99 mins: England 1-1 Italy
Kelly should have come on sooner. She drifts in from the right, weaving past four defenders before unleashing a shot but it curls wide of the top right corner.
98 mins: England 1-1 Italy
End-to-end action!
Toone’s cross nearly finds Kelly but goes straight to the keeper who spills it and it bobbles loose before being hacked off the line!
Italy head up the other end and get a shot away but Hampton is there to save it.
Extra-time kick-off! England 1-1 Italy
And here we go again.
Both sides deserve to win this but only one will reach the final…
MORE: England player ratings as Lionesses beat Italy to reach Women’s Euro 2025 final
MORE: Sarina Wiegman explains decision to leave out Jess Carter for England’s Euro 2025 semi-final with Italy
MORE: Jess Carter proves there’s no room for error as a Black player
Chloe Kelly scores last-minute winner to send Lionesses to Euro 2025 final | Football
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