The saying goes that "cats have nine lives," and the Lionesses seem to embody this at Euro 2025.
Initially dismissed after a disappointing opening loss to France, England rebounded with a crucial victory against the Netherlands. They overcame a 2-0 deficit against Sweden in the quarter-finals and survived a penalty shootout despite having four spot-kicks saved.
In the semi-final against Italy, they appeared defeated until the final moments, when they turned the game around to secure a 2-1 win in extra time, advancing to their third consecutive major final.
The journey has been chaotic, dramatic, and, as always, nerve-wrackingly late.
"We're going to make a movie someday! Well, this is a movie, my goodness, it's unbelievable," manager Sarina Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Retirements and Withdrawals Overshadow Build-Up
Resilience and the ability to overcome adversity have been key themes for England on their path to the Euro 2025 final.
Before even arriving in Switzerland, the team faced challenges.
Discussions should have centered around the Lionesses defending their European title, but off-field distractions dominated the narrative.
Before Wiegman's squad announcement on June 5, she managed two significant retirements and the withdrawal of her World Cup captain.
Goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her unexpected retirement on May 27, followed by midfielder Fran Kirby a week later. On the eve of the squad announcement, Millie Bright declared herself unavailable for the Euros, citing her inability to "give 100% mentally or physically."
With a combined 217 caps between them, Wiegman had to reassure that there was "no crisis" heading into the tournament despite the unsettling period.
Questions arose about the squad's experience, with Hannah Hampton as the only capped goalkeeper and senior leaders Earps and Bright absent from the trip to Switzerland.
"It's a challenging period for the group," England's record goalscorer Ellen White told BBC Radio 5 Live before the tournament.
A Rollercoaster Group Campaign
Exiting the group stage was always going to be a formidable task.
With tough opponents like France and the 2017 winners, the Netherlands, optimism was scarce.
England needed a strong start against France, but things did not go as planned.
A 2-1 defeat at Stadion Letzigrund exposed England's vulnerable defense.
Outpaced and outplayed, the Lionesses became the first reigning champions to lose their opening game at a women's Euros.
After the match, Wiegman remarked that her team was "bullied all over the pitch" and "looked like we've never played together."
However, England rose to the occasion when it mattered.
A loss to the Netherlands would have ended their tournament, but instead, they kept their Euro 2025 dreams alive with an impressive 4-0 triumph over the Dutch.
Lauren James shone, scoring twice, with Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone also finding the back of the net as Wiegman's tactical adjustments paid off.
Four days later, England secured their quarter-final spot with a commanding 6-1 victory over Wales.
"There have been many days this tournament where we could have been going home," Georgia Stanway said after the match. "Staying a few more days is something we can be proud of."
Comeback Queens Against the Swedes
Finishing second in Group D meant England faced Sweden in the quarter-finals, avoiding old rivals Germany and landing on the opposite side of the draw from the 2023 World Cup winners, Spain.
Sweden, however, was in top form, winning all three of their group matches and conceding only once—less than any other team.
Within 25 minutes, England found themselves down 2-0 and struggling.
Experienced defender Lucy Bronze and 19-year-old forward Michelle Agyemang scored in the final 11 minutes, forcing extra time in Zurich.
The ensuing penalty shootout was breathtaking, with Sweden twice missing chances to seal victory, allowing England to complete the comeback.
"At least three times I thought we were out," Wiegman said after the game.
"I don't know why, but this team is just incredible. They stick together. They do whatever is necessary to turn around a result like we did.
"It is so impressive and I'm just really proud to be a part of this team."
Squad Rallies After Racial Abuse
Two days before England's Euro 2025 semi-final, defender Jess Carter revealed she had been subjected to racist abuse during the tournament, casting a shadow over the match build-up.
The Lionesses issued a joint statement, announcing they would stop taking a knee before matches "to find another way to tackle racism."
The head of football's international anti-discrimination body, Fare, questioned England's decision to cease what it considers a "powerful anti-racist act," but Wiegman supported her players' choice, stating the "impact was not good enough."
Wiegman left Carter out of the starting XI—her first change in four matches—with Esme Morgan stepping in.
Carter was named as a substitute, and sections of the crowd at Stade de Geneve sang her name and applauded in the 16th minute in support.
A Fantasy Movie - The Italian Job
England's biggest scare came in Tuesday's semi-final win over Italy.
Their opponents, the underdogs, were ranked eight places below England and competing in their first semi-final since 1997.
England aimed for a third consecutive final, and Wiegman sought her fifth successive major final as a manager.
However, Italy defied expectations, taking a surprising lead in Geneva through Barbara Bonansea in the first half.
England appeared out of ideas, and only Hampton's double save prevented Italy from extending their lead late on. Then, Wiegman's substitutes worked their magic again, with Agyemang scoring a stoppage-time equalizer before Kelly netted the winner in extra-time.
Wiegman described it as a movie, and if this was one, Kelly said it would be a fantasy—something you could not make up and something extraordinary.
She remained composed even after slicing a corner into the side-netting deep in stoppage time and seeing her penalty saved.
But she reacted faster than anyone else, sprinting to poke the rebound over the line, beating team-mate Ella Toone to the ball, before signaling to the crowd to "chill out" with her celebration.
She had it covered all along.
Metadata: