Joy and disbelief – England fans react to dramatic semi-final win against Italy, as ITV News Sports Editor reports from Switzerland
For a second successive game, England’s 19-year-old phenomenon Michelle Agyemang rescued the Lionesses’ tournament.
Sarina Wiegman only gave her five minutes to make her impact, and she did not disappoint.
Not only did she score the goal that levelled the match, but she almost clinched it when she guided a volley which kissed the top of the Italian crossbar.
Wiegman’s very late substitution would have been used as a stick to beat her with if the teenager had not saved her manager for a second time.
There will now be a clamour to start Agyemang in Sunday’s final, after a match in which England again lacked quality in front of goal.
However, despite dropping Jess Carter to the bench, at the end of a torrid couple of days for the England defender, Wiegman has a reputation for sticking to a tried and tested line-up.
Chloe Kelly was only given 15 minutes of real game time, but again, proved the match-winner, with a penalty in extra time, albeit at the second attempt.
Overall, England had 58% of the ball and 24 shots, seven of which were on target, but it had only a goal in the 96th minute to show for it.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman (centre) and Lauren Hemp celebrate following the win. Credit: PA
In the final, such profligacy would almost certainly be their downfall.
The Lionesses will have to reflect on the fact that despite their dominance in the match, they could not make that count and again found themselves chasing the game.
Italy did defend well, but if England are going to have any chance of beating Spain or Germany on Sunday, they must find a way to improve their finishing in the final third.
The thousands watching in Geneva, and the many millions more watching on ITV, could do without another night of torture.
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