Chloe Kelly Sends England to Euro Final \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ England reached the Women’s Euro 2025 final with a dramatic 2-1 win over Italy, thanks to late goals from Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly. After trailing most of the match, the defending champions equalized deep into stoppage time and clinched victory in the 119th minute. England now awaits either Spain or Germany in Sunday’s final in Basel.
England’s Lionesses have done it again — teetering on the edge of elimination, yet clawing their way into another UEFA Women’s European Championship final after a 2-1 extra-time victory over Italy in Tuesday’s semifinal. It’s the second time in a week that England has mounted a thrilling, last-gasp rescue act, confirming their status as the most unpredictable powerhouse in this year’s tournament.
The match in Zurich unfolded with heart-stopping intensity. Italy, the underdogs, led for the majority of the game thanks to a thunderous 33rd-minute volley from Barbara Bonansa. Their dream of a first-ever Euro final appearance seemed within reach, with defenders Line and Cecilia Salvai putting in a masterclass of resilience at the back.
But England, the reigning champions, found magic — again — in their substitutes.
With the game heading toward a shock Italian win, Michelle AGYEMANGjust 19 years old, once again rescued England. Her low, composed finish in the 90+5 minute came after Italy keeper Laura Giuliani fumbled a cross — a rare mistake from one of the tournament’s standout performers. The ball slipped through both Linari and Giuliani, leveling the match in heartbreaking fashion for Italy.
Agyemang nearly won it herself in extra time, with a sublime lob in the 117th minute that beat Giuliani but struck the crossbar.
England’s never-say-die attitude paid off in the 119th minutewhen Chloe Kelly — who scored the extra-time winner in the EURO 2022 final — was again the hero. Her initial penalty was blocked by Giuliani, but she stayed alert and smashed home the rebound, sealing England’s second consecutive Euro final appearance.
It was a moment of déjà vu and redemption all at once, reaffirming Kelly’s place as one of England’s most clutch performers.
Italy gave everything and deserved more. Bonansea’s goal had given them confidence and belief, and they nearly doubled their lead in the 86th minute when Emma Severini found herself unmarked in front of goal. But England keeper Hannah Hampton came up big, smothering the close-range effort.
Severini’s day worsened when she was later penalized for a tangle with Beth Mead in the box, conceding the crucial penalty that led to England’s winner.
As the final whistle blew, Giuliani lay motionless, face-down on the turf — the image of a team that came agonizingly close to glory.
It’s been a chaotic path to the final for Sarina Wiegman’s side. Their tournament began with a 2-1 loss to France — Wiegman’s first defeat at a Women’s Euros in three editions as head coach. But group-stage routs of the Netherlands and Wales gave England momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
In the quarterfinal, England trailed Sweden 2-0 with 12 minutes leftthen fought back and survived a nerve-wracking penalty shootout in which Sweden missed two chances to win.
Now, after a second straight comeback in extra time, the Lionesses will defend their title Sunday in Basel.
England will face the winner of Wednesday’s other semifinal between Spain and Germanyboth familiar and formidable foes. England beat Germany in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley, with Kelly also scoring the extra-time winner. But Spain got their revenge in the 2023 World Cup finaldefeating England 1-0.
Whoever the opponent, England will be seeking back-to-back European titles — a feat no team has achieved since Germany’s reign in the early 2000s.
It’s impossible to ignore the meteoric rise of Michelle AGYEMANGwho now has three goals in four international appearances — two of them in high-stakes knockout matches. At just 19, she’s become the breakout star of the tournament.
Her composure, pace, and instinctive finishing have provided a crucial spark off the bench. If she continues this form, Agyemang may soon transition from super-sub to starting XI mainstay.
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