England v Italy live: Lauren James subbed off at half-time as Lionesses trail in Euro 2025 semi-final

England v Italy LIVE: Latest Women's Euro 2025 updates

• England take on Italy in Euro 2025 semi-final tonight | ITV1, 8pm
• Sarina Wiegman's team have chance to reach third consecutive major final
• 51' CLOSE! Hemp is free but nods her effort over the bar (ENG 0-1 ITA)
• 38' SAVE! Giuliani pushes James' effort wide as England chase equaliser (ENG 0-1 ITA)
• 33' GOAL! Bonansea meets cross and drills Italy ahead (ENG 0-1 ITA)
• 19' CLOSE! Russo's snapshot fizzes wide (ENG 0-0 ITA)

England 0-1 Italy

69 mins: More than once now England have gotten the ball to the byline and whipped in a cross only to have no players in the middle of the box.

England’s urgency has ramped up but they still need to find another level. Time is ticking away, will Sarina Wiegman look to the bench again?

England 0-1 Italy

66 mins: A flurry of shots, first from Alex Greenwood then Keira Walsh, see the Lionesses forced to shoot from range.

Both are struck well but it’s a sign of Italy’s dogged defensive nature that England can’t create better opportunities.

Painful moment for Italy's captain

Cristiana Girelli is in tears as she is forced off injured. You have to think she would be a doubt for the final if Italy get there...

England 0-1 Italy

63 mins: Cristiana Girelli has gone down off the ball after a collision with Alex Greenwood.

The referee stops play and Italy are preparing a substitution.

Girelli hobbles off the pitch with Martina Piemonte replacing her.

England 0-1 Italy

Chloe Kelly has just jogged down the tunnel....

England 0-1 Italy

60 mins: An hour played in Switzerland and Italy are in control.

They’re one goal up and are taking as much time out of the game as possible.

England’s switch in formation has given them more possession. They need to be more ruthless in the final third.

England 0-1 Italy

Alex Greenwood flaps her arms and tries to get the England fans going as she stands over a corner. Laura Giuliani then stays down after collecting the cross after contact with Alessia Russo - expect Italy to try and run the clock down as much as possible, especially as England have now found some urgency.

England 0-1 Italy

57 mins: There are a lot of Italian shirts in the box as England look to attack down the wings.

I’ve counted six defenders in the back line with two more covering the front of the box.

They’re quite happy defending deep and cutting off space for England to operate in.

England 0-1 Italy

55 mins: Sofia Cantore times a run perfectly and gets in behind England as the ball is slipped down the right.

She carries into the box and pings a shot at Hannah Hampton who keeps it out.

England scramble to clear their lines. You feel another Italian goal could be a killer blow even with so much time left on the clock.

England 0-1 Italy

54 mins: Keira Walsh goes on a driving, weaving run through the middle and shoots from the edge of the box.

Her effort is deflected but England whip it quickly to Lucy Bronze pushing forward on the right.

Bronze rolls a pass into the middle and finds Hemp whose shot is straight at the goalkeeper.

(AFP via Getty Images)

England 0-1 Italy

Big chance for Hemp, but she needed to try and knock it across for Russo. Too many England players choosing the wrong option in the final third.

England 0-1 Italy

51 mins: Nearly!

That was almost the equaliser. Ella Toone curls a loopy cross over to the far side of the box where Lauren Hemp is free.

She seems undecided whether to set up or go for goal herself and only manages to nod the ball onto the roof of the net.

England have switched to a back three

England still trail in this semi-final and Miguel Delaney has the latest from Switzerland:

“With Lauren James having gone off for Beth Mead - amid a conspicuous image of James icing her ankle - England have switched to a back three.

“Wiegman has acted on going behind. England have to respond.”

England 0-1 Italy

48 mins: England need more control.

Italy have had things their own way so far and are in control of the early stages of the second half.

Wiegman has made one change but she may need more midfield control if England are to recover this deficit.

Second half! England 0-1 Italy

Sarina Wiegman wastes no time in making changes to the line-up.

Lauren James has been hooked, due to an ankle injury, with Beth Mead introduced.

Karen Carney said at half-time: “I think Lauren James looks tired tonight, it's a question for Sarina, she tries to bend that into the corner. But these are big chances for England."

Can England save themselves again?

ITV pundit, Ian Wright is asking why England keep conceding goals in this tournament.

Speaking at half-time he said: “It's a poor goal to give away from a throw-on.

“Lucy Bronze gets herself caught in between, thinking it'll get cut out.

“I think this is down to Cantore and her quality. Leah [Williamson] worried about the cutback. It bounces awkwardly.”

Beth Mead coming on at half-time

Lauren James is not on the pitch for the start of the second half.

A half-time change from Sarina Wiegman, who goes early.

Bonansea gives Italy slender lead

The difference between the teams is Barbara Bonansea’s first half goal.

The Italians knew just how to hurt England with attacks down the right and the Lionesses flaky defence couldn’t get the ball clear.

(Getty Images)

(REUTERS)

(Getty Images)

'Wiegman needs another rescue'

Here’s The Independent’s Miguel Delaney at the Stade de Geneve:

“We might be in for a real shock, but maybe not a surprise going by performance.

“England started competently but without intensity, as illustrated by how they only created one chance.

“That was Alessia Russo's shot, and only came from rare slack Italian defending. It has once again left them susceptible, and the ease with which Italy worked their way through for that goal should be alarming.

“It could have been cleared three times, before Barbara Bonansea showed the England players the force they needed.

“What a finish. What a game now.

“And yet England have had so many warnings. Wiegman needs yet another rescue job.”

Why teenage wildcard Michelle Agyemang is the key to England’s chaos theory

England are behind. Again. Will they need to call on Michelle Agyemeng to bring the chaos?

Why England and Italy are both wearing away kits in Women’s Euro 2025 semi-final

At kick-off in Geneva, England could be seen in their dark blue alternative strip, while the Azzurri instead wore green and white tops, with vine branches running across the front and back of the shirts.

England’s home kit has a red stripe across the chest, with blue around the neck, which Nike claims “mixes in vibrant red and blue hues.”

Half-time! England 0-1 Italy

45+1 mins: The whistle goes to end a thrilling first half in Switzerland.

Italy have taken the lead thanks to a fine finish from Barbara Bonansea.

Signs have been good that the Lionesses hold an attacking threat but Sarina Wiegman must once again make some tactical tweaks to pull the Lionesses from the brink.

England 0-1 Italy

Italy’s fans may be outnumbered in Geneva but it’s the blue shirts at the opposite end of the stadium to where Barbara Bonansea crashed in the opener that are bouncing up and down. They believe, and England require another comeback.

England 0-1 Italy

44 mins: Suddenly England look shaky at the back. There’s a nervousness whenever Italy get into the final third.

A cross from the right wing is headed away by Bronze but James gives up a foul trying to recover the clearance.

More pressure on the Lionesses as Italy come at them again with minutes to go until half time.

(The FA via Getty Images)

England 0-1 Italy

41 mins: Oh hello.

The signs are promising for England. Keira Walsh receives the ball on the inside left and carries it along the front edge of the box.

She decides to go for it and curls a fine effort over towards the back post.

Italy’s goalkeeper is worried and jumps to reach the ball but it just bobbles wide of target.

England 0-1 Italy

38 mins: This is a position that England are used to.

They went behind against Sweden in the quarter-final as well before coming back from two goals down.

Close!

James almost gets the equaliser in a swift move for England. Hemp drives forward on the inside left channel before floating the ball over to James.

She opens up her body and shoots but Giuliani leaps to her right and pushes it wide!

England 0-1 Italy

Sarina Wiegman stands with her hands behind her back on the touchline. This is not the start England wanted but they have been behind at this tournament before and staying calm is crucial.

(Getty Images)

England 0-1 Italy

36 mins: England look to respond immediately but can’t pick out Lauren James in the penalty area with a cross from the right.

Italy then break forward again and win their first corner but Alex Greenwood does the job of clearing the danger for England.

England 0-1 Italy

Wow. The Italy bench goes beserk, with substitutes, coaches, technical staff all flying onto the pitch to celebrate that thunderous volley from Barbara Bonansea.

For the fifth time at the Euros, out of five matches, Italy take the lead.

Italy's Barbara Bonansea celebrates with teammates (REUTERS)

GOAL! England 0-1 Italy (Barbara Bonansea, 33')

Big!

Italy take the lead in this crucial semi-final. They pass the ball superbly down the right wing before a whipped cross isn’t dealt with by Lucy Bronze.

Instead, the ball comes through to Barbara Bonansea who takes a touch, sets herself, then rattles a shot into the back of the net!

Barbara Bonansea of Italy celebrates scoring (Getty Images)

England 0-0 Italy

30 mins: There are whistles and boos from the Italian fans as the ball deflects off the referee and lands at the feet of Alessia Russo.

The official lets play go on and Italy clear the potential danger but the players aren’t pleased by that decision to continue the game either.

England 0-0 Italy

It’s been hard work for England since the Russo chance. Italy have tightened up on the ball and have grown into the game, developing some confidence in how their flexible system has been able to cause the Lionesses some problems. England are going to need to play much quicker to get through.

(Getty Images)

England 0-0 Italy

26 mins: England are trying to up the tempo. There’s a real battle going on in midfield with turnovers happening regularly.

A cross field pass almost plays Di Guglielmo into space on the left side of the pitch for Italy but she miscontrols the ball and it runs out of play.

England 0-0 Italy

23 mins: England win the first corner of the game which is whipped in towards the near post.

Lauren Hemp makes a darting run and leaps for the ball only for it to skim over her head.

Italy clear their lines then break forward before fizzing a shot over the crossbar.

England 0-0 Italy

The game’s first big chance. But a positive sign for England. They are able to find gaps to play through Italy when they stretch wide, which came there as Lucy Bronze stood on the touchline to receive the switch from Hannah Hampton and create some room for Lauren James to come inside. It could be similar to the Wales game in that Bronze can go wide and allow James to play as a No 10 at times.

England 0-0 Italy

19 mins: Chance!

Alessia Russo is afforded the best chance of the match so far. Keira Walsh spreads the ball out to Hemp on the left before it gets slipped inside.

Russo positions herself in the middle of the box and brings down an aerial pass.

She spins off her marker then blazes a snapshot at goal only to force it wide of the far post!

England 0-0 Italy

18 mins: Italy’s coach, Andrea Soncin, is gesturing wildy on the sidelines in contrast to the serene nature of Sarina Wiegman.

Italy have settled into this game and are starting to push further forward which will please their coach.

England, though, are dangerous on the counter attack with Lauren Hemp a particularly quick threat bombing down the left side.

(REUTERS)

England 0-0 Italy

It’s been a scrappy start, defined so far by loose moments and late tackles in midfield. Ella Toone and Arianna Caruso remained in a heated discussion after a foul went against the England midfielder. Lots of hand gestures as they remonstrated.

England 0-0 Italy

15 mins: Barbara Bonansea makes a dart in behind a sluggish Leah Williamson as Manuela Giugliano dinks a chip over the head of the England captain.

The Italian winger collects the ball and is stopped by a backtracking Williamson before the whistle goes for offside.

England 0-0 Italy

12 mins: Close!

Lovely play from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway. Hemp plays the ball inside and receives the next pass having made a run in behind the defence over on the left wing.

Hemp glances into the box and flicks over a cross which drops to the arriving Lauren James.

She shoots on the half volley with a first touch and drives the ball into the arms of Laura Giuliani.

A bit more power and that could have troubled the goalkeeper more.

England 0-0 Italy

Referee Ivana Martincic gave Lucy Bronze a stern talking to after that forceful challenge. The right back is probably fortunate that the first challenge can often go unpunished. Italy were furious and immediately appealing.

England 0-0 Italy

9 mins: Bronze is punished again after arriving late to a 50-50 challenge with Barbara Bonansea.

The Italian forward wins the ball and boots it forward before getting caught by Bronze’s outstretched leg.

It’s a free kick but nothing more. Two heavy tackles have come in from Bronze already so she’ll need to ease up a touch to afford any further cautions from the referee.

England 0-0 Italy

6 mins: England have already gotten off to a brighter start than they did against Sweden when they conceded early in the game.

The Lionesses look more confident and aggressive on the ball.

Bronze pushes high up the pitch and looks to pile some pressure on the Italian defence. She gives away a free kick and isn’t convinced her challenge was a foul.

England 0-0 Italy

3 mins: Ella Toone delivers a teasing cross into the box from the left side of the pitch in the Lionesses’ first foray up the pitch.

Alessia Russo is the target but she’s beaten in the air and Italy get the ball clear.

Kick off! England 0-0 Italy

Italy get the ball rolling in Switzerland and look to come forward down the left wing.

An overhit pass sends the ball out of play and Lucy Bronze collects it for the throw in.

She’s playing in her 13th consecutive Euros match tonight.

England stand before kick-off

England’s substitutes made a point of coming out from the bench to stand on the touchline before kick-off. The entire squad standing as one in support of Jess Carter.

(Independent)

Rousing moment from Italy

Italy, of course, with the far superior national anthem with it comes to a rousing moment before kick-off. Wonderful passion, especially from Cristiana Girelli, who almost had a smile on her face.

Here come the teams

Leah Williamson leads out the Lionesses at the Stade de Geneve.

England are seeking a place in a third consecutive major final and, on paper, are a better side than Italy.

However, rankings and previous results tend not to play a part in such a crucial fixture as this.

Both teams want to win, both teams will give their all.

The national anthems, starting with Italy’s, are played and we’re almost ready to get underway in Switzerland.

Kick off is up next...

Why the Lionesses won't take the knee against Italy

In a statement, the Lionesses said “we need to find another way to tackle racism” and confirmed they will remain standing before kick-off following the “vile” and “abhorrent” racist abuse of Jess Carter.

Lucy Bronze said the squad had come together and decided the anti-racism message was not as “strong as it used to be” following the abuse, which has left the team “sad and angry”.

England manager Sarina Wiegman told the BBC that her players decided to stop taking the knee because its impact was “not good enough” while defender Alex Greenwood said the anti-racism gesture has "lost its purpose".

Lionesses midfielder Georgia Stanway said: “It’s just to change it up. We felt like the knee was just a little bit repetitive, we felt like it’s come to a point where the knee isn’t doing what we wanted it to do, so now our decision is to stand and hopefully that will bring up more conversation, more change and hopefully get the topic [spoken about].”

Ian Wright reacts to England’s Jess Carter suffering racist abuse at Women’s Euro 2025

Ian Wright maintains “we can’t stop racism” and has urged parents to help make their children resilient after England’s Jess Carter suffered racist abuse during the Women’s Euro 2025.

The Lionesses have decided against taking the knee before their semi-final against Italy following a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Sweden, arguing that the anti-racism message is not “as strong as it used to be”.

Will Lionesses need another comeback?

England became the first team in Women’s Euros history to came from two goals down in a knockout match when they battled from behind against Sweden in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Italy have scored the opening goal in all four of their games at Euro 2025 so far, including against world champions Spain and in their quarter-final victory over Norway.

England fans out in force in Geneva

It feels like England will be supported by the majority of the crowd in Geneva, with a notable English presence in the city this afternoon and in the stadium tonight, and despite Geneva’s proximity to the Italian border. That said, Italy do have a man behind one of the goals with a megaphone, so they will be determined to make up the numbers.

Sarina Wiegman aiming for third Euros final in a row as coach

Sarina Wiegman can become the first coach in 20 years to reach a third consecutive European Championship final if England beat Italy tomorrow night.

The Dutch coach took the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 final and then the Lionesses to the Euro 2022 final, with her team going on to lift the trophy on both occasions.

Gero Bisanz (1989, 1991, 1995 with Germany), Even Pellerud (1991, 1993, 2013 with Norway) and Christina Theune-Meyer (1997, 2001, 2005 with Germany) previously reached three in a row.

Title defence going strong

England are the first reigning champions to reach a Women’s Euro semi-final since Germany back in 2013.

On the last five occasions the reigning champions have featured in the semi-finals they have gone on to reach the final (Germany in 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013).

England's recent semi-final record

England are playing in a sixth consecutive major tournament semi-final, the best run of results in their history. The Lionesses have won their last two semi-final appearances under Sarina Wiegman, at the 2023 World Cup and Euro 2022, but lost the previous three.

Euro 2025: vs Italy

World Cup 2023: 3-1 vs Australia - W

Euro 2022: 4-0 vs Sweden - W

World Cup 2019: 1-2 vs United States - L

Euro 2017 - 0-3 vs Netherlands - L

World Cup 2015: 1-2 vs Japan - L

Alessia Russo scored against Australia in England’s previous semi-final appearance (AP)

A fixture that brings goals

In 32 previous meetings between England and Italy in all competitions, none have ended goalless and only two of those 32 have seen only one goal scored.

They were a 1-0 win for England in 1977 and a 1-0 win for Italy in 2003.

How much do England women’s players get paid?

England are once again through to the latter stages of a major international tournament but there remains a significant pay gap when it comes to what the Lionesses players are likely to earn financially this summer.

Before the start of Euro 2025, Uefa confirmed record prize money of €41m (£34m) for the 16-team tournament. It represents an increase of 156 per cent on the prize money offered at Euro 2022, when it stood at just €16m.

Ian Wright thinks England should still take the knee

England’s Lionesses won’t be taking a knee tonight after Jess Carter has received racial abuse throughout Euro 2025.

ITV pundit Ian Wright spoke about that decision and said he would like to see them stand up for racial equality.

Speaking as part of the pre-match build-up, Wright explained: “Everything that the knee represents, justice, equality, I would still take the knee if I was playing today.

“In respect of Jess, the support around her, nothing I can say, I've said everything I have had to say, nothing gets any better.

“What I would say now, prepare your children and family, make them resilient. It's going to come.

“I would urge people to get your kids resilient and build resilience against [racism], it's always going to happen. We can't stop it."

England substitutes making an impact again at the Euros

England have scored more goals via substitutes than any other team at Euro 2025, with three. Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly both made a positive impression off the bench against Sweden and could do again tonight against Italy.

"In our squad we have different players in each position with different attributes, that’s what she brought when she came on.

"[Kelly] showed she was ready, she crossed the ball from right and left, she was really sharp, as were all the subs, they did their job. It was a hard fight. That’s what we hope players bring when they come on the pitch."

(The FA via Getty Images)

England's record versus Italy

England have won seven of their last 10 games in all competitions against Italy (one draw, two defeats).

Although they’ve lost each of the two head-to-heads at the Women’s European Championship – in 1987 and 2009 (both 1-2).

Have England practiced penalties?

Sarina Wiegman joked that England have been practicing penalties for “hours and hours” after missing four out of their seven in the quarter-final against Sweden.

"No we didn’t”, Wiegman adds: "Over the last months players train for penalties all the time, also at their clubs, you want to be as prepared as possible. Hopefully it’s not necessary. We have practiced again."

Esme Morgan makes full tournament debut in Euro 2025 semi-final

Esme Morgan only played her first minutes at a major tournament when she replaced Jess Carter in the 70th minute of England’s quarter-final, at which point the Lionesses were 2-0 down and heading home.

Four days later, Morgan starts in the Euro 2025 semi-finals. The 24-year-old spent time with the media in Zurich on Saturday and was wonderful company; incredibly positive and determined to talk up her team-mates as much as possible.

But this is a huge moment for her, and the right decision from Wiegman to take Carter out of the team after what she has been through over the tournament.

(Getty Images)

Italy line-up and team changes

Italy manager, Andrea Soncin, also makes a change to the team who knocked out Norway in the quarter-finals.

Emma Severini drops out with defender Martina Lenzini coming in.

Italy XI: Giuliani, Lenzini, Salvai, Linari, Di Guglielmo, Caruso, Giugliano, Bonansea, Oliviero, Girelli, Cantore

Subs: Baldi, Durante, Schatzer, Severini, Piemonte, Piga, Bergamaschi, Serturini, Goldoni, Boattin, Greggi, Cambiaghi.

England team changes

Sarina Wiegman makes just one change to the England starting XI that lined-up against Sweden last time out.

Jess Carter, who has been subjected to racial abuse during this tournament via social media, drops out with Esme Morgan slotting into the defensive line.

Lucy Bronze and Leah Williamson, who both picked up knocks in the match against Sweden, are fit to feature and will start the game.

Lionesses line-up to face Italy

England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Greenwood; Toone, Walsh, Stanway; James, Russo, Hemp

Subs: Keating, Moorhouse, Charles, Mead, Le Tissier, Clinton, Carter, Agyemang, Kelly, Beever-Jones, Park, Wubben-Moy.

Abuse facing women's footballers getting 'worse and worse', says Lucy Bronze

Lucy Bronze, who is England’s most senior player at Euro 2025, says the online abuse faced by women’s footballers is getting “worse and worse” the bigger the game becomes.

"We're obviously open to critics - that's why we love the sport - but we're not open to abuse,” said Bronze, who is playing in her seventh major tournament for England.

"We see it more in the stadiums in men's football and online, but I think with women's football there seems to be a real target online.”

Lucy Bronze with England team-mates Lauren James and Jess Carter (Getty Images)

England players arrive at Stade de Geneve

The England squad has arrived at the Stade de Geneve. While the majority of players gather together when they walk out onto the pitch, either chatting, taking photos, or looking for friends and family in the crowd, Chloe Kelly heads off on her own on a walk between both boxes. The coolest customer around.

(Independent)

A random encounter with Switzerland head coach Pia Sundhage

Very randomly, while I was on the train into Geneva, the Switzerland head coach Pia Sundhage got on and sat opposite me. Sundhage will be at both semi-finals, after leading hosts Switzerland on a historic run to the quarter-finals. The 65-year-old said the experience of leading Switzerland at the Euros was “overwhelming” and that it would take some time for what they achieved to sink in. For now, she predicted an England win, but said it could be “magic” for Italy to reach the final.

(Getty Images)

Taking the knee has 'lost its purpose', says England's Alex Greenwood

England defender Alex Greenwood believes taking the knee has “lost its purpose" and said the Lionesses want to stake a stand against racist abuse after Jess Carter revealed her ordeal at Euro 2025.

"We hope other organisations, and other teams, have the same feeling as us and also want to do something to make a change," Greenwood said to BBC Radio 5 Live.

(Getty)

Why teenage wildcard Michelle Agyemang is the key to England’s chaos theory

As England prepare for their Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy, Sarina Wiegman knows she can rely on a 19-year-old striker who thrives when the Lionesses are in trouble.

Lucy Bronze inspires England’s mentality before Euro 2025 semi-final

England defender Esme Morgan said Lucy Bronze’s warrior spirit is inspiring the Lionesses at Euro 2025, with the veteran’s “passion, energy and fight” spreading around the team as they prepare for Tuesday’s semi-final against Italy.

The right back is appearing at her seventh major tournament for England and with the Lionesses now through to their sixth consecutive semi-final, Morgan said Bronze remains as important as ever.

Lionesses have the power to rise to their biggest moment of Euro 2025

Around the England camp, there’s a different air. The squad insist they are fully focused on Tuesday’s Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy, but it’s not quite a case of drawing a line under the week’s big story, in the way that often happens in such situations. Certainly for games of this magnitude.

By contrast, many of the players want to use the occasion to draw attention to the stand they’re trying to make. They wanted to “send a message to the world,” in the words of Sarina Wiegman.

Picturesque backdrop to England vs Italy semi-final

Welcome to Stade de Geneve - home of Servette FC, the 17-time Swiss champions, and host of tonight’s Euro 2025 semi-final between England and Italy.

The stadium is essentially boxed in by motorways but it comes with a dramatic backdrop: the sheer cliffs of Mont Saleve, which is in France, towering behinds the stands.

(Independent)