England’s European Championship title defence continues after their beat Italy 2-1 in extra time in a dramatic semi-final.
Italy led until stoppage time through Barbara Bonansea’s super volley, but substitute Michelle Agyemang was the hero as she levelled the match and took England to extra-time with a nerveless injury-time equaliser.
In extra-time, England won a penalty for a foul on Beth Mead. Chloe Kelly’s effort was saved but she scored the rebound to ensure the Lionesses reached the final.
Dom Smith was on hand to rate the England performances…
Hannah Hampton 7
Could do nothing about the goal she conceded but was otherwise assured and distributed well, making two point-blank saves in the second half.
Lucy Bronze 6
Committed a fair number of quite needless fouls. One of the England heroes in the quarter-final but less effective here, though her aerial dominance was important.
Leah Williamson 6
Passes were invariably forward and accurate but unable to inspire the Lionesses to a clean sheet and eventually taken off as England chased the game.
Esme Morgan 6
Came in for Jess Carter in the only change to the starting line-up. Was caught out slightly for Bonansea’s goal but was otherwise tidy. Booked late on in normal time.
Alex Greenwood 5
Difficult night for the left-back, who was shaky defensively and could not find accurate deliveries from corners or crosses.
Keira Walsh 7
Kept things ticking over in midfield for England and was always positive with her passes, as well as looking to drive the ball forward herself.
Georgia Stanway 5
Did tireless running in midfield but this was not a good performance from one of England’s best players. She was largely anonymous.
Lauren James 5
A disappointing evening for James, who missed two chances and looked tired, before being replaced at half-time.
Ella Toone 6
Came into the game more in the second half when England sped up their play. End product left something to be desired.
Lauren Hemp 6
Looked more than a little tired at the Stade de Geneve, snatching at a couple of decent chances and struggling for accuracy with her crosses, but did improve in extra time with an unfamiliar role at left-back.
Alessia Russo 7
Covers more ground than most strikers and did so again, dropping deep to receive and running the line while also battling defenders.
Subs:
Beth Mead (James, 46’) 5
Added energy to the England forward line when she replaced James at half-time but did not see a huge amount of the ball.
Chloe Kelly (Stanway, 77’) 8
Came on and was England’s eventual match-winner, forcing the issue and scoring her penalty via the rebound to fire the Lionesses to the final.
Michelle Agyemang (Williamson, 85’) 8
The teenager was nerveless once more, saving the game with a stoppage-time leveller and almost winning it when she hit the bar. Did everything right and made smart decisions.
Aggie Beever-Jones (Russo, 85’) 5
Failed to impose herself on the game but there was no lack of running from the Chelsea forward.
Grace Clinton (Walsh, 106’) N/A
Jess Carter (Greenwood, 119’) N/A
Not used: Moorhouse, Keating, Charles, Le Tissier, Park, Wubben-Moy
