He did again. He tied again at the edge of the end of the semifinal match against Italy (in the 96th minute when seven had been added) to force the extension thanks, once again, to a goal by Michelle Aggemang, who entered to rescue his team. And he resolved the game again (again at the last minute, now in 119) with a mixture of resistance, opportunism and fortune.
2
Hannah Hampton, Alex Greenwood (Jess Carter, min. 120), Leah Williamson (Michelle Agyemang, min. 84), Lucy Bronze, Esme Morgan, Georgia Stanway (Chloe Kelly, min. 76), Keira Walsh (Grace Clinton, min. 105), Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo (Aggie Beever-Jones, min. 84) y Lauren James (Beth Mead, min. 45)
1
Laura Giuliani, Cecilia Salvai, Lucia di Guglielmo, Elena Linari, Martina Lenzini (Julie Piga, min. 88), Elisabetta Oliviero, Manuela Giugliano (Giada Greggi, min. 88), Arianna Caruso, Barbara Bonansea (Emma Severini, min. 72), Sofia Cantore (Michela Cambiaghi, min. Piedmont, min.
Goals
0-1 min. 32: Barbara Bonansea. 1-1 min. 95: Michelle AGYEMANG. 2-1 min. 118: Chloe Kelly
Referee Ivana Martincic
Yellow cards
Laura Giuliani (min. 73), Sonin (min. 73), Elea Linari (min. 87), Michela Cambiaghi (min. 91), Esme Morgan (min. 91), Beth Mead (min. 123).
The English ended the dream of Italy, which resisted with order, took the fang to the counter and almost annulled the attacks of England until the end. He also did it with cruelty: a doubtful penalty, already in the final stretch of the extension, decided the outcome of the envy and the first finalist of this Eurocup. England demonstrated with his game that it is not the same as three years ago, but that always ends. The English will play the final next Sunday against the winner of the duel between Spain and Germany, which will be played this Wednesday. AND .
Both selections opted for a variant with respect to the quarterfinals. For the second time in this Eurocup, he made a change in his eleven. Jess Carter, pointed out after the agonizing classification against Sweden, left his place on the axis of defense to Esme Morgan. Opposite, Andrea Soncin dispensed with midfielder Emma Severini, added Martina Lenzini back and shielded the area with a five line in a defensive phase, a lock that has rescued Italy from oblivion and how well it has worked in this Eurocup to return the Azzurra to a semifinal 28 years later.
The English proposed from the beginning and took over the ball, with a leisurely but constant game in rival field. Lauren James tried on the left, although with little enthusiasm; Lauren Hemp, on the right with diagonal centers to Alessia Russo, who had no aim. But the rhythm of England was low, too calm, even with excess of confidence. And they could not trust; The Italians patiently waited for their opportunities, and ended up taking the game where they wanted.
He allowed England to lodge in his area and took the opportunity to get out of any failure, aware that he would have few opportunities, and that he would need maximum effectiveness. And so it happened. Sofia Cantore, an enigma for rival defenses and very active by the right wing, found space to focus. The ball bounced on the ground and touched Lucy Bronze’s thigh until he reached Barbara Bonansea’s feet, to define with power to advance the Azzurra.
The goal woke England, who put one more march and began to insist with more force at the end of the first half. Lauren James had one of the clearest occasions after a good transition initiated by Hemp, but Laura Giuliani responded safely under sticks. Once again, Italy ahead of the break, and England urgently overcome. So he started knocking on the door. The team showed some more attitude, of intention, but it was still not enough before an Italy that managed time, closed lines and deactivated every rival attempt.
The Italian defense smiled as many balls as he could, took one on the goal line and kept the advantage in the final minutes, which became an English siege. Above all, with the changes of Sarina Wiegman, who, as against Sweden, saved the team: Chloe Kelly faced and fired, but it was Michelle Agezang who did again, scored again the goal of the tie that sent the game to extension.
Italy morally replied to the tie and physically compensated. Sarina asked for more intensity from the band. The goal did not arrive until, in the last bars, the referee pointed out a penalty after a struggle. Giuliani stopped him, guessing Kelly’s shot. But the ball was dead and the English attacker took advantage of the rebound to score the victory goal.
The Italians collapsed over the grass, aware of how close they were. England, without brightness, survived again. And it’s still alive. In the final of the Eurocup. Again.
