Women`s Euro Finals: England`s Dramatic Path
England secured their spot in a second consecutive Women`s Euro final, achieving a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Italy in extra time. This marked Italy`s first European semifinal appearance since 1997.
Italy took the lead in the 32nd minute with Barbara Bonansea`s goal, scored against the run of play. This was notably the fourth time in five games that the Lionesses found themselves trailing. However, the `comeback queens` lived up to their reputation, relentlessly attacking Italy`s goal until the equalizer arrived, leveraging their substitutes to turn the tide. Michelle Agyemang forced the game into extra time with a 95th-minute equalizer, continuing her breakout performance this summer. The 19-year-old boasts only four caps for England but has already netted three times, including the crucial goal that sent their quarterfinal match against Sweden into extra time.
Chloe Kelly, who famously scored the winning goal in the 2022 Euro final, netted in the 117th minute immediately after missing a penalty, ensuring the Lionesses would continue their pursuit of back-to-back titles. Despite the early deficit and another need to play catch-up, England outplayed Italy significantly, registering 24 shots to Italy`s 11 and generating nearly three expected goals compared to Italy`s 1.12.
England now awaits the victor of Wednesday`s semifinal clash between Spain and Germany, a match where the reigning Women`s World Cup winners, Spain, are heavily favored. Spain has navigated the competition with ease thus far, outscoring opponents 16-3. Esther Gonzalez leads the Golden Boot race with four goals, closely followed by Alexia Putellas with three. They hold a significant advantage over a German side missing key players like captain Giulia Gwinn due to injury and Kathrin Hendrich through suspension, despite boasting the tournament`s top goalkeeper in Ann-Katrin Berger. Germany also has recent history in its favor: since Montse Tome took over as Spain`s manager after the World Cup, La Roja has faced Germany five times without securing a win, though Spain hopes the tournament setting will finally break this pattern.
Alexia Putellas commented on the upcoming match, stating: “I see it more as an opportunity, not a revenge. I think we`re in a completely different competition now, it`s a different context, so it`s not going to have anything to do with it.”
European Clubs Begin Preseason Campaigns
Preseason friendlies are swiftly underway for most of Europe`s top teams, with many taking the opportunity to introduce their new signings as the genuine preparation for the upcoming season begins.
Arsenal`s Summer Additions and Tactical Challenges
Arsenal commences their preseason schedule at Singapore`s National Stadium against AC Milan, with both teams featuring numerous new faces and eager to prove themselves. While Viktor Gyokeres might not yet be on their roster, it has been a busy summer for Mikel Arteta`s side, securing Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, Christian Norgaard from Brentford, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. However, their most notable new arrival so far is 23-year-old forward Noni Madueke, who was arguably Chelsea`s most exciting player available for transfer.
How Arteta will precisely balance his attacking options is the manager`s primary challenge, one that a packed preseason schedule, including matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, might help resolve. In addition to Madueke and potentially Gyokeres, the Gunners still feature Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard, alongside their star player, Bukayo Saka. The upcoming season will offer ample playing time for all of them, as Arsenal once again juggles the demands of the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, but selecting the optimal lineup will be crucial for the Gunners to finally secure their first major piece of silverware in several years.
AC Milan`s Redemption Arc
Meanwhile, AC Milan also kicks off their preseason campaign on Wednesday, eager to embark on a redemption arc after a disappointing eighth-place finish in Serie A last season. They now face a season without European competition, which could present an opportunity for a reset under new manager Massimiliano Allegri, though resolving Milan`s issues might prove challenging. Similar to Arsenal, their attack last season lacked balance – while Christian Pulisic enjoyed another strong campaign and Rafael Leao frequently performed well, Santiago Gimenez struggled to settle after joining mid-season, and Joao Felix had little impact. It will be interesting to observe how Milan fares without the influential Tijjani Reijnders, who contributed 15 goals and five assists last season, as well as the integration of Luka Modric. The Ballon d`Or winner, just weeks shy of his 40th birthday, could add a new dimension to their attack as he enters the twilight of his career.
Latest Football News Updates
- An analysis of England`s semifinal victory over Italy suggests that despite their dramatic path to the final, their journey has been marked by inconsistency, which could prove costly in the decisive match.
- An overview of the potential USMNT World Cup roster indicates Christian Pulisic as a strong contender, while some established players risk missing out on a spot.
- The NWSL`s new expansion team in Colorado will be named the “Denver Summit,” a choice determined by a fan vote months before they are set to commence play in the 2026 season.
- Former England international Paul Gascoigne has reportedly been discharged from the hospital, where he received treatment following an early morning collapse.
- As Manchester United continues its summer rebuild, an overview has been provided detailing which players the club should retain and which ones they should transfer elsewhere.
- Barcelona`s return to Camp Nou has been delayed: the club has relocated next month`s exhibition match against Como from Camp Nou to Estadi Johan Cruyff, marking the latest postponement in their plans to return to their home stadium as the renovation project continues.
