As the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 semi-final looms, football fans across the globe are brimming with excitement for the electrifying clash between the England Lionesses and Italy. England, renowned for their tenacity and bolstered by their dramatic quarter-final victory over Sweden, are poised to showcase their resilience once again. In contrast, Italy, riding high on a wave of newfound confidence, are eager to surprise with their tactical brilliance and attacking flair.
With both teams having navigated a challenging path to the semi-finals, finishing as runners-up in their respective groups, this match promises to be a thrilling contest of skill, strategy, and spirit. As we gear up for this epic encounter, all eyes will be on standout players like Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton, and Cristiana Girelli, each ready to make their mark on history. Read more about England’s journey to the semi-finals
The Build-Up: Voices from the Camps
England’s Perspective
The Lionesses are riding high on a wave of confidence after their dramatic quarter-final win against Sweden. Manager Sarina Wiegman described it as “one of the hardest games I’ve ever watched” and “very emotional”, praising her team’s incredible resilience. Chloe Kelly, who made a significant impact off the bench, emphasised the squad’s unity, stating, “When you’re needed, you take your moment”.
Lucy Bronze, who played through injury to score the decisive penalty, spoke of the “crazy game” and her own resilience. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, whose heroics were crucial, declared that “proper England is back”, while Esme Morgan highlighted the squad’s “unwavering belief”. Despite having to come off injured, captain Leah Williamson expressed pride in the team’s mental toughness.
Italy’s Perspective
Italy’s camp is buzzing with optimism. Goalkeeper Laura Giuliani spoke of the “good vibes” they’re gaining from fan support, while acknowledging the challenge posed by an England side that is “very strong and never die”. Captain Cristiana Girelli emotionally described their achievement as “a dream that becomes reality” and “something magical”.
Former coach Milena Bertolini noted that their performance in the Arnold Clark Cup provided “great confidence”. Current coach Andrea Soncin believes that “this is now a completely different Italy” capable of playing “on equal terms even with the world football powerhouses”.
The Journey Here: Drama and Surprises
Both England and Italy have had to overcome significant challenges to reach this stage of the tournament, with each team experiencing dramatic moments in their quarter-final matches.
England’s Quarter-Final Drama
England’s quarter-final against Sweden was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing the team’s resilience and never-say-die attitude.
The match began disastrously for England, with Sweden taking a 2-0 lead within the first 25 minutes. Goals from Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius seemed to put Sweden firmly in control.
However, England staged a remarkable comeback. Lucy Bronze scored in the 79th minute, followed just 103 seconds later by 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang, forcing the game into extra time.
The ensuing penalty shootout was described as the “worst penalty shootout ever” with nine misses. England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton emerged as a hero, saving two penalties, while Lucy Bronze secured the win with the decisive spot-kick.
Italy’s Historic Upset
Italy’s quarter-final victory over Norway was a historic moment for the team, marking their first Euro semi-final appearance since 1997 and their first ever in the 16-team tournament format.
The match was a tense affair, with Italy captain Cristiana Girelli proving to be the difference-maker. Girelli netted twice, including a dramatic 90th-minute winner that sent Italy through to the semi-finals.
The victory was made even sweeter by the fact that Norway’s star player, Ada Hegerberg, missed a penalty during the match. This moment could have changed the course of the game, but Italy’s resilience saw them through.
Italy’s performance in this match demonstrated their ability to compete with and overcome top-tier opposition, setting the stage for their semi-final clash with England.
Group Stage Paths: Runners-Up to Semi-Finalists
Both England and Italy finished as runners-up in their respective groups, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their semi-final clash. Italy finished second in Group B behind world champions Spain, while England were second in Group D, having lost to France. This shared experience of overcoming group stage challenges sets the stage for a fiercely contested semi-final.
The Build-Up to the Semi-Final
The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 semi-final between England and Italy is shaping up to be an epic clash, with both teams demonstrating remarkable qualities on their journey to this stage.
England’s Perspective: Resilience
England’s path to the semi-final has been marked by unwavering resilience. The Lionesses have shown tremendous mental fortitude, particularly in their quarter-final match against Sweden.
Manager Sarina Wiegman described the quarter-final as “one of the hardest games I’ve ever watched” and praised her team’s ability to never give up. This resilience was epitomised by players like Lucy Bronze, who played through injury to score the decisive penalty.
The squad’s depth has been a key factor in their success. Chloe Kelly, coming off the bench, made an immediate impact, while 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang’s crucial equaliser showcased the team’s blend of experience and youth.
Captain Leah Williamson, despite having to come off injured, expressed pride in the team’s mental toughness, highlighting the collective spirit that has carried them to this stage.
Italy’s Perspective: A Dream Realised
For Italy, reaching the semi-final is the realisation of a long-held dream. The team’s journey has been characterised by growing confidence and a belief in their ability to compete at the highest level.
Captain Cristiana Girelli emotionally described their achievement as “a dream that becomes reality” and “something magical”. This sentiment reflects the team’s joy at reaching their first Euro semi-final since 1997.
Coach Andrea Soncin’s belief that “this is now a completely different Italy” capable of playing “on equal terms even with the world football powerhouses” has instilled a new level of confidence in the squad.
The team’s performance in the Arnold Clark Cup earlier in the year provided “great confidence”, according to former coach Milena Bertolini. This experience against top-tier opposition has clearly paid dividends in their Euro 2025 campaign.
Key Players to Watch
As the semi-final approaches, both teams boast a range of talented players who could make the difference on the night.
England’s Stars: Hampton to Kelly
England’s squad is brimming with talent across all areas of the pitch, with several players standing out in their journey to the semi-final.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has been hailed as England’s hero, with her crucial penalty saves and stops in open play earning her a 9/10 rating from pundits. Her performance will be crucial in keeping Italy at bay.
Lucy Bronze has been a standout performer, involved in 7 goals for England in 2025 (4 goals, 3 assists), her best tally in a calendar year. Her ability to contribute both defensively and offensively makes her a key player to watch.
Chloe Kelly’s impact off the bench against Sweden was described as “superb”. Her ability to create chances and score crucial goals could prove decisive in the semi-final.
Other players to watch include Alessia Russo, known for her “relentless workrate”, and Lauren Hemp, whose goal-scoring prowess has been crucial for England throughout the tournament.
Italy’s Icons: Girelli and Beyond
Italy’s team is led by their talismanic captain, Cristiana Girelli, but they have strength across the pitch that England will need to be wary of.
At 35, Cristiana Girelli became the oldest European player to score twice in a major tournament and is second in the Euro 2025 goal rankings. Her experience and goal-scoring ability make her a constant threat.
Sofia Cantore, 10 years Girelli’s junior, has shown her potential by providing both assists against Norway. Her youthful energy and creativity could cause problems for the England defence.
In midfield, Manuela Giugliano has been described as a “supreme midfield creator”. Her ability to dictate play and create chances will be crucial to Italy’s chances of success.
Goalkeeper Laura Giuliani’s performances have been solid throughout the tournament. Her crucial saves against England in the Arnold Clark Cup match earlier in the year demonstrate her ability to perform against top opposition.
Russo’s Italian Heritage
Alessia Russo’s Italian roots add an intriguing subplot to this semi-final clash, highlighting the interconnected nature of modern football.
Russo’s Sicilian grandfather immigrated to England in the 1950s, bringing with him a passion for football, particularly Manchester United. This love for the game has been passed down through the family, shaping Russo’s football journey.
The striker’s earliest football memories are of playing on Italian beaches during summer holidays. She even learned Italian, maintaining a strong connection to her heritage.
Despite these strong ties to Italy, Russo chose to represent England at the international level. This decision adds an extra layer of emotion to her participation in this semi-final against Italy.
Interestingly, England’s training base in Brisbane was nicknamed “Azzurri” due to its founding by Italian migrants, creating another connection between the two nations in this match.
England’s 5-1 Victory over Italy in 2024 Friendly
The most recent encounter between these two teams saw England secure a commanding 5-1 victory in a friendly match, providing valuable insights into their head-to-head dynamics.
This friendly took place on 27 February 2024 in Algeciras, Spain, and saw England dominate proceedings. The goalscorers for England were Lotte Wubben-Moy, Lauren Hemp (who scored twice), Ella Toone, and Rachel Daly.
Italy’s lone goal came from Michela Cambiaghi, offering a glimmer of their attacking potential. It’s worth noting that this match was under Italy’s new coach Andrea Soncin, who has since had time to refine his tactics and approach.
While this result will give England confidence, both teams have evolved since this friendly. Italy’s journey to the semi-final demonstrates their improvement, and they will be eager to prove that this previous result is not indicative of the current balance of power between the teams.
The 2-1 Win in Coventry
Prior to the 5-1 friendly, England and Italy met in the Arnold Clark Cup on 19 February 2023, with England securing a narrow 2-1 victory.
This match, held in Coventry, saw Rachel Daly score twice for England, showcasing her goal-scoring ability which could be crucial in the upcoming semi-final.
For Italy, Sofia Cantore scored her first national team goal in this match. This experience of scoring against England could prove valuable as she enters the semi-final.
While England have won both recent encounters, the competitive nature of the Coventry match suggests that Italy are capable of pushing England to their limits. The narrow margin of victory in this game, compared to the later 5-1 result, illustrates the potential for Italy to challenge England when the stakes are high.
As both teams prepare for their EURO 2025 semi-final clash, these previous encounters will undoubtedly be on their minds, influencing tactics and mindset as they vie for a place in the final.
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