EXPLAINER
Holders England face Italy whereas world champions Spain tackle Germany because the Ladies’s Euro enters its last week.
A final-minute winner, two thrilling shootouts, missed penalties and numerous saves – the quarterfinals of the UEFA Ladies’s Euro delivered the whole lot one may ask for.
The drama now rolls on to the ultimate week with 4 groups left within the hunt for the European crown.
Right here’s how the Euro 2025 semifinals line up:
⚽ First semifinal: England vs Italy
When: Tuesday at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
The place: Stade de Geneve, Geneva
An extended-cherished dream grew to become a actuality for Italy on Wednesday when captain Cristiana Girelli’s Ninetieth-minute header ended their 28-year watch for a spot within the semifinals of the Ladies’s European championships.
Coming into the competition because the underdogs, Italy shocked Norway 2-1 as Girelli scored twice whereas Ada Hegerberg netted as soon as for the Norwegians after lacking a penalty for the second time on this yr’s match.
“I felt one thing totally different, one thing particular. I’ve seen within the eyes of my teammates a particular mild,” the 35-year-old Girelli stated after the sport. “In case you have a flame, it’s important to proceed to dwell. We suffered loads, however we fought till the top.”
Their fairytale run now faces its subsequent check in opposition to holders England, who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, profitable 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout in opposition to Sweden on Thursday.
Eleven minutes from full-time the Lionesses – trailing 2-0 and on the point of elimination – mounted a speedy comeback, scoring two objectives in two minutes to ship the match into further time.
Within the penalty shootout, which featured 14 makes an attempt, defender Lucy Bronze slammed her spot kick into the roof of the online because the seventh penalty taker, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two saves as England coach Sarina Wiegman breathed a sigh of aid as her aspect certified for the ultimate 4 at Euro 2025.
“It was laborious. One of many hardest video games I’ve ever watched. Very emotional. We may’ve been out 4 or 5 occasions in the course of the sport,” Wiegman stated.
England are unbeaten of their final 5 matches in opposition to Italy, all friendlies, with 4 of these ending in victories. The winner of the primary semifinal will face both Spain or Germany within the last.
⚽ Second semifinal: Germany vs Spain
When: Wednesday at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
The place: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
Spain saved their quest for a maiden Ladies’s Euro title alive by knocking out hosts Switzerland 2-0 in Friday’s quarterfinal regardless of failing twice from the penalty spot.
The world champions had been made to work laborious in opposition to a cussed Swiss defence within the first half earlier than tremendous sub Athenea del Castillo scored the opener shortly after the hour mark, and Claudia Pina doubled the lead with an outstanding curling effort. Spain’s victory saved their 100% profitable document at Euro 2025 intact.
“Possibly we’d desire to face Germany once more due to what occurred on the Olympics,” del Castillo stated after the match, referring to their 1-0 defeat to Germany within the bronze medal match at Paris 2024.
Athenea could get the revenge she hinted at: Germany are by means of, and Spain will now meet their Olympic nemesis within the semifinals.
The Germans defeated France 6-5 on penalties in Saturday’s thrilling semifinal, pulling off an outstanding comeback from a purpose down regardless of taking part in with 10 gamers for many of the match. Within the thirteenth minute, German midfielder Kathrin Hendrich was issued a straight purple card after she pulled the hair of France captain Griedge Mbock.
With the match tied 1-1 after further time, the competition was selected penalties. Germany’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero, firing house from an important spot kick herself earlier than pulling off a decisive penalty save to seal the upset victory in opposition to France.
“There’s a very laborious and hard opponent [Spain] we now have to face [in the final]. All people actually gave their final effort right here, and we have to regenerate. We’ve got to ensure we get well,” stated the 34-year-old Berger, who produced a string of excellent saves all through the match.
Germany are unbeaten in eight conferences with Spain, profitable 5 and drawing three with a purpose rely of 18-3.
