England 2–1 Italy Player Ratings: Barbara Bonansea Rated 8.5/10 but England Edge Past Italy to Reach Women’s Euro Final

Defending champions England reach the finals of the UEFA Women's Euro in spectacular fashion after a 2-1 win in a tense semi-final. They left it late after going down 1-0 to underdog Italy, who took a shock lead. Juventus winger Barbara Bonansea thumped the ball into the back of the net after a deflected cross fell her way. England were on the brink of elimination until Michelle Agyemang stepped off the bench to score a heroic equaliser to force extra time. Chloe Kelly converted a rebound in extra time after her penalty was saved in the 119th minute to break Italian hearts and reach the finals.

The Lionesses had a tame start as Italy stuck to their game plan from the first minute. Their five at the back formation suffocated England's forwards. With tactical discipline and excellent individual brilliance, the underdogs, Italy, began punching above their weight. After testing the waters, Cantore emerged on a brilliant run and cut the ball into the box after a delightful one-two. Lucy Bronze failed to clear the cross, and it fell kindly for Bonansea, who smashed it home. England had a great chance to equalise through Lauren James, but she failed to beat the keeper. A surprise was brewing as Italy kept its lead at the break.

England Women's Football Team had plenty of chances to equalise in the second half. Lauren Hemp squandered two opportunities, Georgia Stanway, Keria Walsh and Alessio all came close to no avail. Italy's strong defence and threat on the counter meant England couldn't fully overcommit as well. When they were running out of hope, deep in the added time, Agyemang capitalised on a spilt cross and fired home to force extra time.

The first period of the extra time produced no great chances as both sides tried to catch their breath. In the second period, Italy Women's Football Team couldn't just last wave after wave of English pressure. They conceded a penalty, which Kelly stood over. Despite a great save from the goalkeeper, Kelly followed it up with the rebound to give her side the lead and seal the win.

Here are the England vs Italy Player Ratings for the Women's Euro 2025 match:

England Women's National Football Team Player Ratings

Here are the England Player Ratings from England vs Italy Player Ratings:

Goalkeeper

Hannah Hampton-6/10

Had a hard time controlling her box and failed to get anything on Bonansea's piledriver from close range.

Defenders

Lucy Bronze-5/10

She made a mess of a cross coming her way as he kindly deflected it into Bonansea's path for the opener.

Leah Williamson-6.5/10

The captain was a dominating presence at the back and marshalled her defence well. Her passing was on the mark as well.

Esme Morgan-6.5/10

The centre-back had to deal with a lot of Italian pressure as the left-hand side was targeted by Italy. Stood up well against the pressure.

Alex Morgan-6/10

Failed to bomb forward and cause trouble in the final third. She was easily beaten by Cantore for the first goal as well. Hit back in the second half, but it was too late.

Midfielders

Keira Walsh-6/10

Not her finest game in the middle of the park as she spent large parts of the game chasing the ball. Despite plenty of tries, she didn't have enough to get the goal.

Georgia Stanway-6.5/10

She struggled to find her teammates with her passes as her passing lanes were well cut out. Tried to join the attack as her side chased an equaliser.

Forwards

Lauren James-4/10

Looked completely jaded after a long tournament as she lost the ball frequently. Had a great chance to equalise but hit it straight at the keeper. Was replaced at halftime with a knock.

Ella Toone-6.5/10

She always found the pocket of space between the lines. Delivered great crosses for her teammates.

Lauren Hemp-6.5/10

Tried multiple combinations down the left flank to crack open Italy's stubborn defence. Missed a couple of great chances in the second half to equalise.

Alessia Russo-6/10

Had a great chance to open the scoring at 0-0, but her shot on the turn was off target. She created a chance for her teammate, but her general play was way off mark.

Substitutes

Beth Mead-6/10

Replaced Lauren James at halftime and was their best hope of making a difference.

Chloe Kelly-7/10

Although her penalty was saved, she reacted quickly to score the rebound.

Agnes Beever-Jones-6/10

Michelle Agyemang-8/10

Scored with excellent composure after a loose ball fell her way.

Grace Clinton-6/10

Jess Carter-N/A

Manager

Sarina Wiegman-7/10

The manager was properly seeing her player tire on the pitch after a long tournament. They were incredibly slow to get going in the first half, but a halftime team talk woke her team up as they played much better. Substitutes spared her blushes as they finally got goals and the win.

Italy Women's National Football Team Player Ratings

Here are the Italy Player Ratings from the England vs Italy Player Ratings:

Goalkeeper

Laura Giuliani-6/10

Produced a great save to deny Lauren James in the first half by diving at full stretch. Claimed plenty of cross and was assured with her kicking. However, a late mistake from a missed cross forced the equaliser. Saved the penalty but couldn't parry it away.

Defenders

Elisabetta Oliviero-6.5/10

Struggled with the dangerous Lauren Hemp at times and was beaten for pace multiple times. Always managed to get back and support her attack.

Martina Lenzini-7/10

Had to go up against Hemp as she cut in towards the goal. Did her job well to sweep up the loose balls in the box. Even joined the attack and played a key role in the first goal.

Elena Linari-8/10

Her ball playing was on top as she created multiple chances with her long passes. Was an excellent leader at the back.

Cecilia Salvai-7/10

Produced great blocks with her positioning and kept clearing crosses that came her way. Her clearances saved her side a lot of times.

Lucia Di Guglielmo-7/10

Made her way out of defence as soon as she won the ball and relieved pressure on her side. Made sure she held her ground despite some late pressure.

Midfielders

Sofia Cantore-7/10

Emerged on a sensational run after receiving a throw-in and found her target with a cut-back. Was causing trouble all game long.

Arianna Caruso-6/10

She focused on attacking being a part of the midfield pivot, but didn't produce anything tangible. Defensively, she was overrun as well.

Manuela Giugliano-7/10

She was calm with her passing whenever she had the ball. Dropped into the defensive line and helped them defend the box well.

Barbara Bonansea-8.5/10

Had the ball fall kindly fall for her and took a touch before dispatching it ruthlessly. Drove at the defence tormented England on the break.

Forwards

Cristiani Girelli-7/10

Had the job of holding the ball and bringing her teammates into play. Did it to an extent and occupied the opposition centre-backs. Left the pitch in the second half with an injury.

Substitutes

Martina Piemonte-6/10

Emma Severini-6/10

Michela Cambiaghi-6/10

Giada Greggi-6/10

Julie Piga-6/10

Manager

Andrea Soncin-8/10

He did not flinch for a moment with the underdog tag as he motivated his side to play their game. Once they got the lead, it was all about managing the game and getting the result. However, his idea of defending all game didn't work as England's star quality shone in the end.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Barbara Bonansea