Contests in the penultimate round commence Tuesday at the Women’s Euro with England’s faceoff against Italy, presenting a noteworthy encounter between a squad anticipated to perform well and a group that has surprised many this summer.
England possess the title from last year, and predictably hold a strong edge in Tuesday’s competition with their offensive capabilities spearheading their pursuit for a consecutive championship. They secured their place in the semifinals following a tightly contested quarterfinal with Sweden, falling behind 2-0 in the initial half, but managing to score twice shortly after halftime to extend the game into additional time and subsequently penalty kicks. The Lionesses then outperformed Sweden in the shootout, although it wasn’t particularly convincing – they emerged victorious with a 3-2 score, but it required seven rounds of kicks to achieve the five successful attempts.
Notwithstanding the difficult journey to the final four, England still retain their favored status against Italy, who are experiencing a remarkable stretch at the Women’s Euro. On Wednesday, they clinched their first Euro knockout stage victory since 1997, overcoming Norway with a 2-1 score, Le Azzure exhibiting superiority across nearly all facets of the game. As a team undergoing growth, they will encounter a significant challenge against England, though this summer is shaping up to be momentous for Italy, irrespective of the outcome.
Prominent figures to follow in the UEFA Women’s Euro semifinals: England’s Lauren James, Spain’s Claudia Pina, among others
Sandra Herrera
Both squads are vying for a position in Sunday’s final and will await the victor of Spain‘s semifinal contest with Germany, scheduled for Wednesday. Here’s the essential information to have before watching.
How to watch England vs. Italy, odds
- Date: Tuesday, July 22 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Stade de Geneve — Lancy, Switzerland
- TV: Fox | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: England -210; Draw +340; Italy +500
Last meeting
England achieved a conclusive victory in their previous encounter with Italy, triumphing over Le Azzure 5-1 in a friendly match in February 2024. Lotte Wubben-Moy opened the scoring in the first minute for the Lionesses, who established a 3-0 lead by the 45th minute thanks to two goals from Lauren Hemp. Michela Cambiaghi secured Italy’s singular goal in stoppage time of the first half, while Ella Toone and Rachel Daly contributed goals in the second half. Although the result signals the potential for a high-scoring performance from England, it also provides a suitable point of reference for an Italy team eager to demonstrate their capabilities.
What England are saying
England’s preparations for the semifinals have been overshadowed by the instances of racist comments directed at defender Jess Carter on social media, which have incited expressions of support for the player alongside demands for more decisive action. Carter’s colleagues, including head coach Sarina Wiegman, have appealed to social media organizations to adopt stronger measures in combating discriminatory language on their platforms. Wiegman also indicated that England will refrain from kneeling before their semifinal match, the players advocating for meaningful actions rather than symbolic gestures from key figures within the sport to address racism.
“We believe we’ve moved beyond that point [taking the knee],” midfielder Georgia Stanway stated. “It appears it persists despite our act of kneeling. We’ve collectively decided to stand instead. We view this as a transformative action itself, aiming to spark conversations and underscore the inadequacy of current measures.”
Members of the Italian team have also extended their support to Carter, with head coach Andrea Soncin sharing the sentiment of the English team regarding discriminatory language as a widespread concern that transcends the realm of sports.
“We express our utmost solidarity with her and anyone facing violence and abuse,” Soncin remarked. “It’s unacceptable. We bear a responsibility, given our standing, to convey appropriate messages. We must impart educational messages, especially to children. It’s a matter of cultural advancement, a cultural battle.”
Regarding team updates, England confirmed that captain Leah Williamson will be eligible for selection on Tuesday despite being substituted in the quarterfinal against Sweden due to injury.
What Italy are saying
Italy has steadily progressed over several seasons, and this summer in Switzerland has marked a turning point where that progress has materialized into concrete achievements. They embody the growing competitiveness within women’s soccer. Much like numerous emerging teams in women’s soccer, heightened interest and financial backing have played a considerable role in their development, along with maintaining a well-balanced strategy on the field and fulfilling their perceived potential. This has fueled a renewed sense of assurance within Le Azzure, befitting of a semifinalist.
“We’re considered [the underdogs],” Italy captain Cristiana Girelli acknowledged. “Objectively, that may hold true. Among the four semi-finalists, we’re discussing the current world champions, the reigning European champions, and Germany, the nation with the most European titles. I concur with the perception of us as underdogs. However, the outcome of matches is determined on the field, not beforehand. We’ll be prepared to give our all. And when Italy commit their best, it poses a greater challenge for our opponents.”
Girelli, currently in contention for the golden boot with three goals, has attributed a portion of Italy’s upward momentum to Soncin, who assumed head coaching responsibilities following the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
“He’s performed admirably, holding significant influence,” Girelli expressed. “He’s fostered unity within the team, ignited our motivation, empowered our expression, and instilled daily self-belief. We’re nurturing a conviction that we can succeed regardless of the circumstances. He’s introduced fresh ideas, potentially enhancing our ability to perform. Most importantly, he’s instilled a sense of value within us, affirming that everyone has their opportunity to shine. His work has been extraordinary.”
Soncin’s task involves devising a strategy to outmaneuver an offensive-minded England team, known for their scoring proficiency.
“We’re optimistic in our ability to prevail in this match,” Soncin asserted. “Our recent emphasis has centered on recuperation and rejuvenation. England’s ball retention is strong, but their true asset lies in their direct approach, exploiting space, and maximizing their attacking assets.”
Predicted lineups
England: Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Lauren James, Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp
Italy: Laura Giuliani, Elisabetta Oliviero, Cecilia Salvai, Elena Linari, Lucia Di Guglielmo, Arianna Caruso, Manuela Giugliano, Emma Severini, Sofia Cantore, Cristiana Girelli, Barbara Bonansea
Player to watch
Alessia Russo, England: The Lionesses boast a diverse array of players capable of scoring goals, yet Alessia Ruusso stands out as a prominent choice. The 26-year-old has solidified her position in Wiegman’s offensive strategies for England, highlighted by her goal at the Women’s Euro, while also excelling in facilitating scoring opportunities for her teammates. Russo has recorded three assists across four matches, generating 2.88 expected goals on her own and 0.93 expected assists. Should the Lionesses excel on Tuesday, it will likely stem from Russo’s exceptional performance.
Storyline to watch
Italy’s Cinderella moment: Among the semifinalists, Italy might seem like an outlier when compared to Women’s World Cup champions Spain and Germany, and European champions England. However, their progression represents the most compelling narrative as the Women’s Euro approaches its conclusion. Their quarterfinal victory over Norway validated the positive trajectory of women’s soccer, as emerging teams overcome established rivals. Italy showcased their attacking capabilities against Norway, potentially posing a challenge to England’s somewhat vulnerable defense. While an Italian victory on Tuesday remains uncertain, the hope is that they will maintain competitiveness against England and contribute to the continued expansion of women’s soccer in their home country, regardless of the final outcome.
Prediction
A repeat of England’s 5-1 victory from the previous year is deemed unlikely, acknowledged by Stanway in her pre-match statements. “Tournaments possess a unique dynamic,” the England midfielder noted. “In a tournament, 90 minutes can be decisive, and the superior team may not always prevail. It boils down to successfully putting the ball into the net.”
While this holds validity, Italy’s momentum and evident improvements since the previous year equip them to potentially surprise England. Girelli has played a vital role in their semifinal journey, and while Italy may lack the Lionesses’ scoring prowess, Wiegman’s team has exhibited defensive vulnerabilities that could be exploited on Tuesday. Nonetheless, the match is perceived as one for England to control, and given their attacking talent, a defeat appears improbable. Pick: England 2, Italy 1
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