England reached the Euro 2025 final with a dramatic 2-1 win over Italy, but their performance in Geneva was far from convincing. The Lionesses dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances, relying on a late penalty rebound to secure victory. Italy had taken the lead through a well-worked goal, but England equalised through a Chloe Kelly penalty after a foul on Lauren Hemp.
The winning goal came in the 94th minute when Michelle Agyemang’s shot was saved by Laura Giuliani, only for Kelly to slot home the rebound. The result was harsh on Italy, who defended resolutely and had several chances to win the game themselves. England’s performance was criticised for lacking creativity and coherence, with manager Sarina Wiegman’s tactics and substitutions questioned.
Wiegman kept several key players on the bench until late, including Agyemang, who had been a standout in previous matches. The team’s reliance on individual moments rather than a cohesive attacking plan has raised concerns ahead of Sunday’s final, where they will face either Germany or Spain.
Despite the win, the performance highlighted the limitations of Wiegman’s squad, with many pundits calling for greater integration of younger talents like Agyemang and Grace Clinton. The side will need a significant improvement to lift the trophy and end a disappointing tournament on a high.
