England face dark horses Italy with sights set on Euros 2025 final berth

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

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

The holders are tantalisingly close to another major tournament final, with a showdown next Sunday 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 on the trophy after the dramatic nature of their victory over Sweden in Zurich on Thursday.

England 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 shootout.

Now they find themselves in a sixth consecutive semifinal between Women's Euros and World Cups, and it would be a shock if they slipped up against Italy.

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