As the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 reaches its thrilling climax, all eyes are on the semi-final showdown between England and Italy, set to take place on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Stade de Genève in Geneva. This match pits the defending champions, England’s Lionesses, against a resurgent Italy side eager to make history by reaching their first European semi-final since 1997.
England enters this fixture with a rich recent pedigree, having won the last two Women's Euros under coach Sarina Wiegman—first with the Netherlands in 2017, then as hosts in 2022. The Lionesses have been a dominant force, reaching six consecutive semi-finals and aiming for a third straight tournament final, following their runner-up finish at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Their path to this stage has been anything but easy, highlighted by a dramatic quarter-final victory over Sweden. Trailing 2-0 until the 79th minute, England staged a remarkable comeback with goals from Lucy Bronze and 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang within just 103 seconds, forcing extra time. The nail-biting penalty shootout was settled by Bronze’s decisive spot-kick and two crucial saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
Coach Sarina Wiegman has confirmed all 23 players are available for the semi-final, including captain Leah Williamson, who is recovering impressively from an ankle injury sustained during the Sweden match. Wiegman praised Williamson’s dedication: “She really wants to play, and she did everything to recover as quick as possible – and she has.” The Arsenal defender participated fully in training on Monday, signaling her readiness for the big game. Midfielder Georgia Stanway echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Williamson’s leadership both on and off the pitch.
Despite their strong record, Wiegman urged caution ahead of the clash, stating, “It would be really disrespectful to think we are the favourites. They made the semi-final just like we did and that’s very impressive for any team. Complacency is the biggest mistake you could make.” This respect for Italy is well founded. While England has won four of their last five friendly matches against Italy, competitive history tells a different story: Italy has won five and drawn one of six competitive encounters, including a memorable 2-1 victory in the 2009 Women’s Euro group stage.
Italy’s journey to the semi-final has been marked by resilience and tactical versatility. Under coach Andrea Soncin, the Azzurre secured a last-minute win against Norway in the quarter-finals, a testament to their fighting spirit. Soncin, a former striker with deep experience in Italy’s domestic leagues, expressed confidence ahead of the match: “We are strongly convinced and aware that we can compete against them.” He emphasized the physical and athletic nature of the upcoming game, stating, “The [semi-final] will be highly physical, athletic and it’s a match in which we have a full focus and attention that no aspect is more important than another.”
Italy’s strengths lie in the technical ability and movement of midfielders Manuela Giugliano and Ariana Caruso, combined with the goal-scoring prowess of 35-year-old Cristiana Girelli, who has netted three goals in the tournament, including two in the quarter-final. Soncin highlighted England’s ball possession and vertical play as key weapons but remains confident in Italy’s chances, saying, “We respect the quality of the England players, they have international experience. Our goal over the last few days was to recover our energy.”
The buildup to this high-stakes encounter has been overshadowed by the racial abuse suffered by England’s Jess Carter, who has stepped away from social media. Both teams have expressed solidarity with Carter, with Soncin stating, “There is the greatest solidarity towards her from the Italian squad. Any type of violence is not acceptable and cannot be tolerated.” Wiegman described the abuse as “disgusting” and confirmed the team’s support, emphasizing Carter’s readiness to perform despite the adversity.
Broadcasting the match live, ITV expects a massive audience exceeding 8 million viewers, reflecting the growing popularity of women’s football in the UK. The semi-final kick-off is at 8pm UK time, with pre-match coverage beginning at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The broadcaster’s confidence is underscored by the surge in viewership throughout the tournament, boosted further by the summer school holidays starting on the day of the match. ITV’s presenting team, including Laura Woods, Karen Carney, and Emma Hayes, will be on-site in Geneva, adding to the excitement.
The stakes could not be higher. England aims to continue their streak of semi-final appearances and secure a place in the final for the third consecutive major tournament. Italy, meanwhile, seeks to rewrite their history books by reaching a European Championship final for the first time since their runner-up finishes in 1993 and 1997. The winner will face either Germany or Spain in the final on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in Basel.
As the teams prepare to take the field, the atmosphere is electric. Both sides boast talented squads, tactical acumen, and a hunger for glory. England’s blend of experience and youthful energy contrasts with Italy’s technical midfield mastery and tactical flexibility. The match promises to be a gripping contest of skill, passion, and resilience.
With the legacy of previous tournaments and the hopes of millions of fans resting on their shoulders, the Lionesses and the Azzurre are set to deliver a memorable semi-final encounter. Whether England will extend their dominance or Italy will pull off a historic upset remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the drama of Euro 2025 is far from over.
