England's path to the final of Euro 2025 - from defeat against France to Michelle Agyemang's late heroics
Published 23/07/2025 at 13:22 GMT+1
Let's look at England's path to the final of Euro 2025 from their opening loss against France to Michelle Agyemang's late heroics against Sweden and Italy. The Lionesses have had to endure several difficult moments during their bid to retain their crown. However, they have come through it, and will now face either Germany or Spain in Sunday's final in Basel.
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England moved one step closer to retaining their crown as they reached the final of Euro 2025 with a thrilling comeback victory over Italy.
The Lionesses stormed to a 2-1 win against Germany in the final three years ago at Wembley. And they will now face the winner of the second semi-final between the Germans and Spain in the climax of this year’s tournament.
It has been a remarkable journey for Sarina Wiegman’s side in Switzerland..
The Dutch coach has now guided her team to three finals in her three major tournament appearances with England, but this has been the most dramatic of the lot.
Their route to the final at St. Jakob-Park in Basel has been filled with highs, lows, and several late goals.
So, with that in mind, here is how the Lionesses booked their place in the final of Euro 2025.
Group Stage - England v France
England’s defence of their title got off to the shakiest of starts.
Wiegman’s side were forced to go back to the drawing board after suffering a 2-1 defeat against France in their first match of the tournament.
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Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore scored for Les Bleues as the French took control of the match.
England showed they would not go down without a fight when Keira Walsh scored an 87th-minute goal. But they couldn't find an equaliser.
Group Stage - England v Netherlands
The Lionesses bounced back at the first time of asking with an impressive 4-0 vctory over Netherlands.
Lauren James was moved from the centre of midfield to the wing for the Group D clash, and the decision paid off as she scored two crucial goals.
Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone also got their name on the scoresheet as Wiegman’s side got their campaign back on track in fine style.
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Group Stage - England v Wales
England were into their stride as they secured second place in the Group D table and ensured they would progress to the knock-out stages with a 6-1 win over Wales.
Goals from Stanway, Toone, and Lauren Hemp put the defending champions 3-0 up.
Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, and Aggie Beever-Jones also found the back of the net during a dominant display.
Quarter-finals - England v Sweden
England looked destined to go home empty-handed in the 78th minute of their quarter-final clash with Sweden.
They were 2-0 down against one of Europe’s top sides at the Stadion Letzigrund, and were just 12 minutes away from elimination.
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However, two quick-fire goals from Lucy Bronze and teenage super-sub Michelle Agyemang sent the thriller to extra time.
Nothing could separate the teams during the additional 30 minutes, but the Lionesses kept their cool in a dramatic penalty shootout to ensure they would reach the semi-finals once again.
Semi-finals - England v Italy
It felt like England’s luck may have run out as they fell a goal behind in the 33rd minute of their semi-final against Italy.
The Lionesses were forced to go long time and time again, but nothing seemed to work as a resilient Italian defence rebuffed them at every turn.
However, in the sixth minute of stoppage time, the ball fell to the feet of Agyemang once again, and she came to her side’s rescue.
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Michelle Agyemang of England celebrates scoring her team's first goal with teammate Ella Toone during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Semi-Final match between England and Italy at Stade de Geneve on July 22, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Image credit: Getty Images
She produced a cool finish under pressure to send the match to extra-time. And this time, there was no need for penalties.
Chloe Kelly blasted the rebound of her penalty into the back of the net to send England to their third successive major tournament final.
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