Women's Euro 2025: England upbeat despite close call

Having come back from the brink of elimination against Sweden in the last eight, England will hope to live up to their billing as title favourites when they face Italy in the semi-finals of the Women's Euro 2025 on July 22.

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GENEVA -

The holders are tantalisingly close to another major tournament final, with a showdown on July 27 against either Germany or world champions Spain the reward for Sarina Wiegman's team, should they get the better of the Azzurre in Geneva.

The Lionesses could be forgiven for feeling that their name is already on the trophy after the dramatic nature of their victory over Sweden in Zurich on July 17.

They were 2-0 down late on, but two goals in the space of three minutes forced extra time before they eventually triumphed 3-2 in a remarkable penalty shoot-out.

Ranked 13th in the world, the Italians are surprise semi-finalists while England are where they were expected to be as they look to repeat their triumph at the last Euro on home soil in 2022.