{"id":1392111,"date":"2025-07-22T23:02:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T22:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1392111"},"modified":"2025-07-22T23:13:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T22:13:20","slug":"england-women-vs-italy-women-player-ratings-agyemang-kelly","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/england-women-vs-italy-women-player-ratings-agyemang-kelly\/","title":{"rendered":"England Women 2-1 Italy Women: Player ratings as Agyemang inspires another Lionesses comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

England Women<\/a> came from behind to beat Italy Women 2-1 after extra time, sealing their spot in the Women’s Euro 2025<\/a> final.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barbara Bonansea opened the scoring the half-hour mark with a fine finish that looked to be the winner for a long time. But Michelle Agyemang netted a dramatic equaliser to take the game to extra time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the game edged towards penalties, England were awarded a spot-kick late on for a foul on Beth Mead. Chloe Kelly’s effort was saved but she tucked home the rebound to send England to a third successive major tournament final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how the players rated at Stade de Geneve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

England<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hannah Hampton – 7 – <\/strong>Hampton didn’t have too much throughout the game, but she had her moments. Produced a vital double save late on, albeit having fumbled the first effort. Couldn’t do anything about opening goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucy Bronze – 6 – <\/strong>Bronze got forward early on to crash the box, and was crucial to applying the pressure late on. She did get caught a bit flat-footed for Italy’s goal, but Bronze wasn’t alone in having a defensive lapse. Made up for it with a good defensive header to prevent a good chance for a second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leah Williamson – 6 – <\/strong>Followed Girelli for a lot of the first half as she dropped to contest for the aerial balls. Her passing was good as usual, though she did send a few long late on as England grew desperate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Esme Morgan – 6 – <\/strong>Given her first start of the tournament, Morgan unfortunately let Cantore get the better of her for Italy’s goal. But she looked more confident on the ball and used her pace to keep Italy’s attack quiet at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex Greenwood – 5 – <\/strong>Greenwood had a nightmare against Cantore, really struggling on the left. Cantore beat her too too easily on the wing in the build up to Italy’s opener. Understandably looked more comfortable once Cantore had been taken off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ella Toone – 6 – <\/strong>Gave Italy something to think about with her advanced runs, but was lacking that something in attack. But that was an England-wide problem. If Kelly hadn’t stuck in the rebound to win the game, Toone was there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keira Walsh – 6 – <\/strong>Walsh was left being the midfield on her own at times, with her two teammates being more attack-minded. When England were chasing in the second half, Walsh stepped up to try to pull the strings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgia Stanway – 6 – <\/strong>Stanway didn’t have the impact on the midfield that Wiegman would have wanted. She left a lot to be desired with her passing, especially in key areas in the second half. But Stanway got stuck in with five tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lauren James – 6 – <\/strong>Had England’s best two chances of the first half, despite not being on the ball too much. The first one was soft but the second one forced a good save from the goalkeeper. She was taken off at half-time after picking up a knock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alessia Russo – 5 – <\/strong>It was another frustrating game for Russo. It felt like she was missing a partner to work alongside her, especially as she tends to move out wide. Did well to fashion a shot on the turn in the first half that didn’t look like it was going to come. But her effort was wide of the post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lauren Hemp – 6 – <\/strong>It was a strange game for Hemp. Her energy was crucial to England throughout, and she didn’t stop running. But England may not have needed extra-time if Hemp had her shooting boots on. She failed to convert a handful of good chances, including a few headers that weren’t quite right. It was her cross into the box that brought England’s equaliser, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Substitutes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth Mead <\/strong>(for James 45) – 6 – <\/strong>Was a threat on the flank and probably should have been the one getting onto the end of far-post crosses. Gave Italy something to think about on the right. And she won England’s late penalty. Spent some time in central midfield in the first half of extra time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chloe Kelly <\/strong>(for Stanway 77) – 7 – <\/strong>Kelly was once again England’s gamechanger, scoring the winning goal in extra time. It came after she had missed a penalty, netting the rebound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michelle Agyemang <\/strong>(for Williamson 85) – 9 – <\/strong>Agyemang should get the freedom of England if the Lionesses win the Euros. For the second game running, the teenager scored the crucial equaliser to take England to extra-time. Agyemang was excellent and opposition defences still don’t know how to deal with her. Thought she had won the game in extra time with a lob, but she hit the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aggie Beever-Jones <\/strong>(for Russo 85) – 5 – <\/strong>Was overshadowed by Agyemang and didn’t really get into the game. But she’s got a long career and bright future ahead of her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grace Clinton <\/strong>(for Walsh 105) – 5 – <\/strong>Brought fresh legs to the midfield in extra time. Her passing did put England in danger at times, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jess Carter <\/strong>(for Greenwood 120) – N\/A – <\/strong>A late sub.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Italy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Laura Giuliani – 8 – <\/strong>Giuliani had looked unbeatable, confidently claiming crosses both in the air and on the floor. She also produced a good save to deny James on the break in the first half. But, crucially, the Italian goalkeeper fumbled a cross late on which led to Agyemang’s equaliser. Saved Kelly’s extra-time penalty but couldn’t do anything about the rebound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Elisabetta Oliviero – 7 – <\/strong>Oliviero had her work cut out for her defensively against Hemp, but did well. Got forward a lot and asked questions of her opposite number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Martina Lenzini – 8 – <\/strong>Lenzini held to limit Hemp’s danger down England’s left, partnering well with Oliviero. Her presence in the back three gave Oliviero license to be a bit more attacking. Italy were on their way to victory when she was taken off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cecilia Salvai – 7 – <\/strong>Looked solid at the back as part of a defence that were tough to break down. Produced a good clearance when ball looked to be sneaking through to Russo in the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Elena Linari – 8 – <\/strong>Linari was so unfortunate to end on the losing side. She was an absolute monster defensively, always quick to close England’s attackers down. Whenever England had the ball, Linari was there. Finished the game with five tackles — with no player managing more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lucia Di Guglielmo – 7 – <\/strong>Did really well to deal with the combined threat of James and Bronze in the first half. Was equally as impressive when Mead came on and produced a great header off the line with 10 minutes to go. England’s equaliser did come from a cross down her side, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Arianna Caruso – 7 – <\/strong>Was tireless in the Italian midfield and looked like she could play for another 120 minutes. Had a good battle with Bayern Munich teammate Stanway. Caruso was also involved in the build up to Italy’s goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Manuela Giugliano – 8 – <\/strong>Looked so comfortable in Italy’s midfield, helping them remain firm — especially with her England counterparts lacking. Was taken off late in normal time as Italy looked to see the game out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Barbara Bonansea – 7 – <\/strong>She scored the winning goal in the first half, making the most of limited time in attack. But the plan was to have Bonansea waiting on the opposing flank to ghost in and strike. Her goal came with a lovely touch in the box to control before rifling home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sofia Cantore – 8 – <\/strong>England didn’t know how to handle Cantore. The 25-year-old started alongside Girelli to help battle the England centre-backs, but she did most of her damage on the flank. Cantore gave Greenwood and Morgan a lot of problems throughout the game. And it was no surprise that she brought the opening goal, with a great run down the wing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cristiana Girelli – 8 – <\/strong>This was a top quality centre forward performance, only missing a goal. The Italian captain was busy dropping slightly deeper to receive the ball, whether in the air or on the ground. Girelli was particularly strong in aerial battles, winning four — the most of any player while she was on the pitch. And she got a crucial touch on a cross that helped shift the ball slightly out of Bronze’s path in the lead up to Bonansea’s goal. Had to come off injured midway through the second half, and Italy will hope it doesn’t keep her out of the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Substitutes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Martina Piemonte <\/strong>(for Girelli 64) – 5 – <\/strong>Had a chance to make it 2-0 but sent her header over the bar. Italy really didn’t use Piemonte in the right way, which wasn’t her fault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Michela Cambiaghi <\/strong>(for Cantore 72) – 5 – <\/strong>Messed up a good Italy break with a poor pass, and couldn’t help her side break through in extra-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Emma Severini <\/strong>(for Bonansea 72) – 4 – <\/strong>It was unfortunately a night to forget for Severini. She should have made the game safe from a late corner, but her effort was tame and straight at Hampton. Severini then brought Mead down in the box for England’s late penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Julie Piga <\/strong>(for Lenzini 89) – 5 – <\/strong>A late appearance at centre-back, Piga couldn’t help maintain Italy’s lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Giada Greggi <\/strong>(for Giugliano 89) – 5 – <\/strong>Didn’t bring much in midfield after coming on.<\/p>\n\n\n

    Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n