England vs Italy: Euro 2025 Semifinal Preview and Live Guide

England Faces Italy in Women’s Euro 2025 Semi-Finals

England's Women's National Team, known as the Lionesses, is set to face Italy in a high-stakes semi-final match tonight. The contest marks a crucial moment for the team as they aim to defend the title they won in 2022. Their journey to this stage has been anything but straightforward, with a dramatic comeback against Sweden in the quarter-finals showcasing their resilience and determination.

A Dramatic Comeback Against Sweden

In the quarter-final against Sweden, England found themselves trailing by two goals heading into the final 11 minutes of regulation time. However, the Lionesses made a remarkable turnaround, with Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang scoring in quick succession to tie the match. The tension didn't end there, as the game went into extra time and eventually a penalty shootout. Hannah Hampton played a pivotal role, making two crucial saves, including one in sudden death. Smilla Holmberg's missed penalty sealed England's progression to the semi-finals, setting up a showdown with Italy.

Italy's Quarter-Final Drama

Italy also faced their own challenges in the quarter-finals, where Cristiana Girelli scored a last-minute winner against Norway. At 35 years old, Girelli is one of the top scorers in the tournament and is looking to equal Spain’s Esther Gonzalez on four goals in the Golden Boot race. Her performance will be key as Italy looks to make a deep run in the competition.

Match Details and Viewing Options

The semi-final between England and Italy is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off tonight, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The match will take place at the Stade de Genève in Geneva, Switzerland. Fans in the UK can watch the game live on ITV, with coverage starting on ITV1 at 7pm BST ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Additionally, ITVX will provide a live stream, and fans can follow all the action through a live blog on Standard Sport.

Team News and Key Players

England faces some injury concerns as captain Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze, and Lauren James are all doubtful after picking up knocks against Sweden. However, the good news is that these players are fit and available for selection, as confirmed by manager Sarina Wiegman in a pre-match press conference. Meanwhile, Michelle Agyemang, Chloe Kelly, and Beth Mead are pushing for starting positions after making significant impacts off the bench in the quarter-final.

On the other hand, Italy has no suspension or injury concerns, allowing head coach Andrea Soncin to name an unchanged side. This gives Italy a strong chance to maintain their momentum as they aim for their third Euro final.

Prediction and Odds

Despite being clear favorites, England must avoid a repeat of their inconsistent performance against Sweden. However, given their recent form and the fact that Italy's only defeat in the tournament was to Spain, the Lionesses are expected to come out on top. The prediction is for England to win with a score of 3-1.

Head-to-Head Record

Historically, Italy holds the advantage in the head-to-head record against England, with 17 wins compared to England's 10. There have been seven draws between the two teams. However, the most recent meeting saw England secure a 5-1 victory in an international friendly in February 2024.

Match Odds

As of the latest odds, England is favored to qualify with odds of 1/5, while Italy is at 20/3. These odds may change as the match approaches, so it's advisable to check the latest updates from Betfair.

With both teams bringing their best, the semi-final promises to be an exciting encounter that could determine who advances to the final of the Women’s Euro 2025 tournament.