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Few would have predicted England's Lionesses would claw their way to the Euro 2025 final after the drama that unfolded both before and during the tournament. With key players retired or unavailable, morale shaken, and a brutal opening loss to France, England's odds looked slim at best. But against all expectations, they rallied—proving that resilience, determination, and a flair for late heroics remain in their DNA.
The road to the final was anything but smooth. First came a humbling 2-1 defeat to France, where coach Sarina Wiegman candidly admitted her side had been "bullied all over the pitch." The team looked uncoordinated, inexperienced, and adrift. Criticism mounted, especially after three senior players—Mary Earps, Fran Kirby, and Millie Bright—either retired or withdrew just before the tournament began, removing over 200 international caps from the roster.
Yet, when their backs were against the wall, England responded with remarkable grit. A 4-0 thrashing of the Netherlands followed, led by standout performances from Lauren James and Georgia Stanway. Then came a goal-fest against Wales, ending 6-1, as England comfortably advanced to the quarter-finals.
Faced with an unbeaten Swedish side, the Lionesses went 2-0 down early and looked destined for elimination. But with sheer determination and late goals from Lucy Bronze and 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, they forced extra time and prevailed in a heart-stopping penalty shootout.
As if that wasn't enough drama, England then battled racism off the pitch when defender Jess Carter revealed she had been abused online. The squad released a joint statement and controversially abandoned the pre-match kneeling gesture, vowing instead to "find another way" to confront discrimination.
Their semi-final against Italy brought more chaos. An early goal by Italy stunned fans and nearly ended England's journey. Heroic saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton kept hopes alive before Agyemang again delivered—this time in the 95th minute—to equalize. In extra time, Chloe Kelly pounced on her own penalty rebound to score the latest goal in women's Euro history, sealing a 2-1 victory.
Sarina Wiegman, now heading to her fifth straight major final, praised her squad's resilience, calling the campaign "like a movie." With either Spain or Germany awaiting in the final, England's Lionesses believe they have one more miracle left in them. This team doesn't just play football—they write plot twists.
