Super subs fire England to Euro final

Agyemang again

However, Italy looked fresher and it opened the scoring on 33 minutes, as Sofia Cantore reached the right byline before delivering a cross which found Bonansea at the back post.

The Juventus player controlled the ball twice before lashing a shot into the roof of the net from close range.

Alessia Russo and Lauren James came closest for England in the first half, but Italy held its lead into the break. Wiegman then sent on Beth Mead for the second half.

Lauren Hemp headed onto the roof of the net and a long range effort from Alex Greenwood was punched away by AC Milan goalkeeper Laura Giuliani, who was booked for time wasting with almost 20 minutes still to play.

With the clock ticking down, the England coach introduced Kelly followed by Agyemang, two players who had already made a big impact off the bench against Sweden.

Agyemang, the teenage Arsenal forward, replaced captain and center-back Leah Williamson in a clear sign of desperation from the England camp.

Italy could have killed the game off, but Hannah Hampton made a crucial double save to deny Michela Cambiaghi and Emma Severini at a corner in the 86th minute.

That proved crucial, as England equalized in the sixth of seven allotted added minutes at the end of regulation time.

Giuliani parried away a forceful long-distance cross into the box from the right, and the ball came out to Agyemang, who took a touch and blasted in the leveler.

Once again England faced extra time. It had the momentum, and Giuliani did well to stop a Kelly corner going straight in with 108 minutes played.

The remarkable Agyemang then saw a lobbed effort beat Giuliani, but come back off the crossbar with four minutes of extra time remaining.

Penalties loomed, but, instead, it would be just one spot-kick, awarded when Mead was pushed over right in front of the Croatian referee.

Kelly's effort was saved by Giuliani, but she was on hand to convert the rebound and send England into another final.

"Luckily I got there for the tap-in," Kelly told broadcaster ITV.

"Three finals on the bounce and we want more. This team shows resilience, but we fight back and, hopefully, we can make it easier for ourselves."

It will be a third consecutive major tournament final for the Lionesses, who beat Germany in extra time in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley, and then lost to Spain in the deciding game at the following year's World Cup in Sydney.

"That is what happens when a great team comes together and makes things happen — three consecutive finals playing under an unbelievable manager in Sarina," said Kelly, the Arsenal forward who got the winner in the 2022 Euro final.

"It is incredible to be part of this special team. I am so proud.

"I can't believe what has just happened. The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special."

England defender Lucy Bronze added: "We don't do things the easy way in this tournament, but we find a way to win."

AFP