City stars help England secure Euros final spot with dramatic win | OneFootball

England clinched a place in the EUROS 2025 final with yet another nail-biting performance as they beat Italy 2-1.

The Lionesses came from behind again with breathless performances from City duo Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood helping turn around another remarkable knockout tie.

After recovering from 2-0 down to beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-finals, England were up against it again and looked like they were heading out to Barbara Bonansea’s 31st minute strike.

But Michelle Agyemang equalised five minutes into injury time before Chloe Kelly’s 118th minute winner secured a spot in Sunday’s final against either Spain or Germany.

Greenwood and Hemp were the left-wing axis again in a game that England largely dominated but struggled for a breakthrough with Joie Stadium team-mates Jess Park and Khiara Keating watching on from the bench.

Lionesses’ boss Sarina Weigman made one change from the side that beat Sweden in a rollercoaster last-eight clash with former City defender Esme Morgan coming into the heart of the defence.

England started on the front foot, controlling the opening exchanges, although opportunities were at a premium.

Hemp created the first chance with an explosive run down to the left flank and her cross picked out Lauren James but her first time effort was straight at Italy keeper Laura Giuliani.

Greenwood sent over a cross from the same side that gave Alessia Russo the opportunity to turn and shoot but her effort was off-target.

But Italy grew in confidence and were ahead just after the half-hour with their first effort on target, England failing to deal with a cross and Bonansea smashing home the loose ball.

England looked for a quick response and Hemp led a quick break before laying the ball into the path of James again, with Giuliani at full-stretch to keep her low strike out.

The Chelsea winger was replaced at half-time and England continued to push with Greenwood spinning an early effort into the arms of the Italian keeper.

Hemp twice went close with a far post header that looped onto the roof of the net and a close range strike straight at the keeper.

The number 11 was proving to be England’s biggest threat as she ran at full-back Elisabetta Oliviero and carved out an opportunity for Georgia Stanway whose goalbound strike was blocked.

Italy were increasingly dropping deep to defend and Lucy Bronze had a far-post header scrambled clear although Emma Severini almost made it two when she was denied from five yards’ out.

But five minutes into injury time, the ball dropped to Agyemang and she fired home the equaliser through a host of defenders.

After a raft of attacking substitutions, Hemp switched to left-back for extra-time but spent much of the half-hour on the attack with England the most likely to grab a winner.

Chloe Kelly had two good attempts and Agyemang hit the crossbar before a dramatic conclusion.

With another shootout looming, Beth Mead was held in the box for a late, late penalty. Kelly’s spot-kick was saved but she followed in the rebound to secure a third successive major final for the Lionesses.

They will now face either Rebecca Knaak’s Germany or Leila Ouahabi’s Spain in the final on Sunday at 17:00 (UK).