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England Women vs Italy Women Euro 2025 Semi-Final Lineups

Freddie Jack Howard Murray • 2026-05-29 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

There’s a particular tension that comes with a semi-final – every lineup decision feels magnified, every substitution can rewrite a tournament. That was the scene on 22 July 2025, when England’s Lionesses met Italy at the Stade de Genève in Geneva for a UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 semi-final that went the distance, and after extra time England walked away 2–1 winners, booking a spot in the final.

Match: England 2-1 Italy ·
Date: 22 July 2025 ·
Competition: UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Semi-Final ·
Venue: Stade de Genève ·
Official Lineups Source: UEFA Match Centre

England’s starting XI: Hampton, Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Morgan, Walsh, Stanway, Toone, James, Hemp, Russo. — England Football (official)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • England 2–1 Italy (aet) – England Football
  • Semi-final of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 – UEFA
  • Date: 22 July 2025, venue: Stade de Genève – UEFA
  • Michelle Agyemang scored in the 96th minute – Sky Sports
2What’s unclear
  • Exact goal scorers and minutes beyond Agyemang and Kelly not confirmed in official sources
  • Attendance figure for the semi-final
  • Italy’s final official lineup (pre-match preview used projected XI)
  • Italy’s formation not confirmed
3Timeline signal
  • 22 July 2025 – Semi-final played, England win 2-1 after extra time – England Football
  • England reach third consecutive major tournament final – England Football
4What’s next
  • England face winner of Germany vs Spain in the final on 27 July 2025 in Basel – UEFA

The semi-final took place on Tuesday 22 July 2025 at Stade de Genève. — UEFA (tournament organisers)

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the confirmed England lineup and Italy’s projected starting XI.

Category England Italy
Starting XI Hampton, Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Morgan, Walsh, Stanway, Toone, James, Hemp, Russo Giuliani, Oliviero, Salvai, Linari, Di Guglielmo, Caruso, Giugliano, Severini, Cantore, Girelli, Bonansea (projected)
Formation 4-3-3 Not confirmed
Key substitution Michelle Agyemang on for Russo (85′) Not confirmed
Category Detail
Match England 2-1 Italy (after extra time)
Date 22 July 2025
Competition UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Semi-Final
Venue Stade de Genève, Geneva
Result England wins and advances to final
England’s starting XI Hampton, Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Morgan, Walsh, Stanway, Toone, James, Hemp, Russo – England Football (official)
Italy’s projected XI Giuliani, Oliviero, Salvai, Linari, Di Guglielmo, Caruso, Giugliano, Severini, Cantore, Girelli, Bonansea – UEFA (pre-match preview)
Key substitution Michelle Agyemang replaced Alessia Russo in the 85th minute – England Football
Match winner Chloe Kelly scored 119th-minute goal – Sky Sports

What were the starting lineups for England vs Italy?

England starting XI

  • Hannah Hampton (GK)
  • Lucy Bronze (RB)
  • Keira Walsh (CM)
  • Alex Greenwood (CB)
  • Leah Williamson (CB)
  • Lauren James (AM)
  • Georgia Stanway (CM)
  • Ella Toone (AM)
  • Lauren Hemp (LW)
  • Esme Morgan (LB) – England Football (official lineup)
  • Alessia Russo (ST)

Italy starting XI (projected)

  • Laura Giuliani (GK)
  • Elisabetta Oliviero (RB)
  • Cecilia Salvai (CB)
  • Elena Linari (CB)
  • Lucia Di Guglielmo (LB)
  • Arianna Caruso (CM)
  • Manuela Giugliano (CM)
  • Emma Severini (CM)
  • Sofia Cantore (RW)
  • Cristiana Girelli (ST)
  • Barbara Bonansea (LW) – UEFA (pre-match preview)

The pattern: England’s official lineup showed a single change from earlier rounds – Esme Morgan coming in for Jess Carter at left-back, while Italy’s projected XI leaned on experienced forwards Girelli and Bonansea. The tactical contrast was clear: England’s midfield three of Walsh, Stanway and Toone aimed to control possession; Italy’s five-woman midfield line sought to congest the centre and hit on the counter.

The tactical choice

Sarina Wiegman’s decision to start Morgan over Carter was a bet on defensive speed against Italy’s wingers – a gamble that paid off as Italy’s best chances came through set pieces, not open play.

The implication: This lineup bet on defensive speed paid off, as Italy’s best chances came from set pieces.

Is England v Italy a semi-final?

Match context

The match was the semi-final of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, played on Tuesday 22 July 2025 at the Stade de Genève. England, the reigning champions from 2022, faced Italy, who reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1993 – UEFA (tournament organisers).

Tournament stage

England advanced to the final after winning 2-1 in extra time. The win marked their third consecutive major tournament final, following the 2023 World Cup and Euro 2022 – England Football (match report).

The implication: for Italy, reaching the semi-final was a statement of progress, but the gap in tournament experience showed in extra-time composure. England have now played seven consecutive knockout matches in major tournaments – a run that builds resilience.

Have England women’s won the Euros?

Previous Euro victories

Yes – England women’s national team won the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2022 on home soil, defeating Germany 2-1 after extra time at Wembley – Wikipedia (tournament summary).

Recent tournament history

In 2025, they are seeking a second consecutive title. No women’s team has won back-to-back Euros since Germany in 2009 and 2013 – UEFA (history page).

Why it matters

For the Lionesses, a second straight title would cement their place among the all-time great European sides – only Germany has managed consecutive wins, and that was over a decade ago. The semi-final win kept that historic bid alive.

The implication: A second straight title would cement England’s place among the all-time great European sides.

Where is the ladies euro final?

Venue details

The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final will be held at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday 27 July 2025 – UEFA (final venue information).

Host city

Basel was selected as the final venue by UEFA in 2023 as part of the tournament’s Swiss hosting. The stadium holds about 38,000 spectators – UEFA (event guide).

The catch: while England’s semi-final was in Geneva, the final in Basel adds a travel dimension – the Lionesses will need to manage recovery time against a well-rested opponent from the other semi-final.

What is Michelle Agyemang’s background?

Player profile

Michelle Agyemang is a 21-year-old forward for the England women’s national team, currently playing for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League. She was not included in the starting XI for the semi-final but was listed among the substitutes – England Football (match centre).

Role in the match

Agyemang entered the match in the 85th minute, replacing Alessia Russo. She scored in the 96th minute to level the score and force extra time – Sky Sports (match report). Her goal was her first in a major tournament, coming at a critical moment when England trailed 1-0.

The trade-off: Agyemang’s late introduction reflects Wiegman’s trust in her ability to change the game against tired legs. With Italy’s defence tiring, her movement in the box created the equaliser. For a player who had only made two previous tournament appearances, this was a coming-of-age moment.

Confirmed facts vs unclear details

Confirmed facts

  • England beat Italy 2-1 after extra time – England Football
  • Match was a semi-final on 22 July 2025 – UEFA
  • England’s starting lineup: Hampton, Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Morgan, Walsh, Stanway, Toone, James, Hemp, Russo – England Football (official)
  • Michelle Agyemang scored 96th-minute equaliser – Sky Sports
  • Chloe Kelly scored winning goal in 119th minute – Sky Sports
  • Final is in Basel on 27 July 2025 – UEFA

What’s unclear

  • Exact goal timings and scorers for Italy’s goal
  • Attendance figure for the semi-final
  • Italy’s final official starting XI (only projected lineup available)
  • Full substitution details for Italy
  • Yellow cards or disciplinary actions
  • England’s consecutive final streak (definition of major tournaments may vary)
  • Italy’s formation not confirmed

For the confirmed starting XIs and full match details, check the England Women vs Italy Women lineups page from the semi-final.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the official lineups for England vs Italy?

The official lineups are published by UEFA on their match centre page and by England Football on their official site. Links are provided throughout this article.

What formation did England play in the semi-final?

England used a 4-3-3 formation with Walsh, Stanway and Toone in midfield, James and Hemp on the wings, and Russo as the central striker.

How many substitutions did Italy make?

The exact number and timing of Italy’s substitutions are not fully detailed in the available sources, but it is known that they made at least two changes during the match.

Which players were on the bench for England?

England’s substitutes included Michelle Agyemang, Chloe Kelly, Jess Carter, Millie Bright, and others. The full bench list is available on the England Football match centre.

What was the referee for the match?

The referee for the semi-final has not been confirmed in the reviewed sources. UEFA typically appoints a referee panel ahead of each match.

When is the Euro 2025 final?

The final is scheduled for Sunday 27 July 2025 at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland.

For England supporters and neutral observers alike, the semi-final reaffirmed a simple truth: tournament football rewards depth. Agyemang’s impact off the bench, paired with Kelly’s late winner, showed that Wiegman’s squad can win even when the starting XI doesn’t fire. For Italy, the lesson is about sustaining intensity through extra time against a side with deeper resources. The choice for England’s management heading into the final is clear: trust the system that got them there, but keep the impact subs ready for another 120 minutes.



Freddie Jack Howard Murray

About the author

Freddie Jack Howard Murray

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.