After clawing their approach again from the brink of elimination in an exhilarating quarterfinal towards Sweden, defending champions England will purpose to justify their standing as match favorites after they tackle Italy within the Women’s Euro 2025 semifinal Tuesday in Geneva.
The Lionesses are one step away from a second straight main remaining beneath Sarina Wiegman, with both Germany or reigning world champion Spain awaiting in Sunday’s title conflict.
Their street to the semis was something however clean. Trailing 2-0 late in Zurich, England staged a shocking comeback – scoring twice in three minutes to power further time – earlier than edging Sweden 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Now of their sixth consecutive semifinal throughout the Euros and World Cups, England are anticipated to advance previous the Azzurre and transfer inside attain of retaining their crown.
Ranked thirteenth on this planet, the Italians are shock semifinalists, whereas England are the place they had been anticipated to be as they appear to repeat their triumph on the final Euros on residence soil in 2022.
“I really had a sense throughout the game, even when we were down, that it wasn’t our time to go,” defender Esme Morgan advised English media over the weekend as she mirrored on the unlikely comeback towards Sweden.
“I thought about three times we were out,” admitted Wiegman, who stays on the right track to win a 3rd consecutive Women’s Euro – having guided her native Netherlands to victory on residence soil in 2017 earlier than triumphing with England three years in the past.
England have been uncovered towards top-level opposition at this European Championship, having been defeated by France of their opening group recreation earlier than being torn aside within the first half towards Sweden.
But the character of their restoration within the latter match – impressed by substitutes Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly – will give them confidence, as will their latest document towards Italy.
Carter suffers racist abuse
England gained 5-1 when the nations final met in a pleasant in Spain in February final 12 months, and had been 2-1 victors a 12 months earlier within the Arnold Clark Cup in Coventry.
Italy completed second of their group behind Spain however then bought the higher of Norway within the quarterfinals, with veteran Cristiana Girelli scoring twice – together with a last-minute winner.
Now they’re within the semifinals of a significant match for the primary time because the 1997 Euros.
“It’s exciting because we are going to face the reigning champions,” defender Martina Lenzini mentioned on the Italian group’s base close to Lucerne.
“Getting to the semifinals for us is a end in itself, a bit surprising within the eyes of others and by everybody round us, however we believed we might do that.
“We are always humble, but we were aware that we could get to this stage and have the chance to face a team of this caliber.”
The holders’ preparations for the match had been rocked by revelations that defender Jess Carter had been the sufferer of racist abuse, prompting the English FA to alert police.
“From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse,” Carter, who has 49 caps, wrote on her social media accounts.
“Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result, I don’t agree or think it’s OK to target someone’s appearance or race.”
Meanwhile, England have been hoping that captain Leah Williamson will probably be slot in time to characteristic after being pressured off with an ankle harm towards Sweden. Her fellow defender Morgan mentioned over the weekend the group had been “very optimistic that Leah will be fine.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com