Football Daily - Women’s Euros: Extra time winner sends Lionesses into final

Episode Date: July 22, 2025

Karen Bardsley, Ellen White, Nedum Onuoha and Vicki Sparks join Katie Smith as England beat Italy to qualify for the Euros final. Reaction as super-subs Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly come to the rescue again as it looked like England were being sent home by Italy until Agyemang’s 96th minute equaliser. How much of a breakthrough is Agyemang having at these Championships? Hear from the England manager, Sarina Wiegman, captain Leah Williamson and midfielder Ella Toone as the Lionesses reach a third major international final in a row. How do they keep managing to find a way to win? Should England have been awarded the penalty? And are they up for the challenge of beating Germany or Spain in the final? Timecodes: 1’56: Reflections on Michelle Agyemang's influence 5’12: Chloe Kelly’s performance 9’01: Were England complacent? 10’58: Ella Toone interview 15’13: Leah Williamson interview 20’51: Sarina Wiegman interview 24’00 Wiegman’s influence and mentality BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this week: Wed 2000 SF2 Germany v Spain, Sun 1700 Euro 2025 Final.

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. deal ratings and price history. So you know a great deal when you see one. That's cargurus.ca, cargurus.ca. The Dakar Rally is the ultimate off-road challenge. Perfect for the ultimate defender, the high-performance Defender Okta, 626 horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine and intelligent 6D dynamics air suspension. Learn more at LandRover.ca. dynamics air suspension. Learn more at LandRover.ca. BBC Sounds music radio podcasts.

The Football Daily podcast with Katie Smith at UEFA Women's Euro 2025. England are into the European Championship final. A third consecutive major tournament final for England's Lionesses. How did they do it? We have no words. Inexplicable at moments was that game. Ellen White, Nader Manuak, Karen Barzi, and Vicky Sparks are with us.

Sweet Caroline blares out on the speakers here at Stade de Genève as the entire England squad go racing over to the fans on our left-hand side who make up a wall of whites and Georgia's flags. Everywhere you look in disbelief, in ecstasy, agony, nade a manure, there were moments of real shakiness and vulnerability. We'll go into all of them, but once again, when their backs were against the wall,

England found the answer. Absolutely they did. We can talk about the changes, but the most important thing is the belief that they had on the field. And after the first time you do it, okay, that's one thing, but you take that belief into the next game.

And obviously, obviously, you wouldn't want to be putting yourself in these situations again, but as they're on the field you have a belief as a support, you have a belief that those people on the pitch, they can do that, it just takes a moment in time and to go back to Michelle Ajiman's finish, like we mentioned how hard she kicked it, but still to have the composure to make sure you hit the target, that's so easy to just slice off into the crowd. But Serena Vigman, she knows that she trusts her. She knows she's the right person for that moment. And we've seen that throughout these last few weeks.

So it's an incredible way to get to a final. It's not been perfect, but as you start the tournament, you want to be in there with a chance to lift the trophy again. And that's exactly where they are now. And let's start with Michelle Ajevan, then Karen Barty, who's actually just turned away from the rest of her teammates, had a moment to herself, looked up to the sky, and then as she looked down, Serena Vigman, her manager, gives her an enormous bear hug, the trust

she had in Ajiman. Another equalizer, but again, with so few minutes to create that change. She's absolutely incredible, isn't she? I mean, how do you find the words to describe what she does, what she is? She just embodies this English spirit, this mentality, this belief. She's instinctive, like Nedham says,

having the calmness in front of goal to kind of create that space for yourself and obviously just focus on the contact, put it on target. Her finishing has been exquisite, like her goal scoring record for England has been absolutely unbelievable. It just causes chaos, as many people have said, but it's that crucial presence for me in those critical moments that is just, she's integral to the success of this team going forward. Well, can we even call her a wild card anymore, Ellen? Because she makes her England debut a few months ago,

scores after 41 seconds, had an impact against France, scores an equaliser against Sweden, does it again tonight against Italy to book England's spot in a European final. I mean, there'll be people calling for her to start the final. I think she's just a special, special player, a special human being, and she nearly to start the final. I think she's just a special, special player, a special human being, and she nearly actually got the winner.

Her technique and her composure, when she just locked it over, the goalkeeper and it hit the bar. She's just a special player and she plays beyond her years. The way she holds the ball up, the way she brings others into play, her composure like Naderman and Carrinson, the way she used the touch to create a little bit of space and then her finish, yeah she's just been absolutely phenomenal this

tournament of what she's done with the limited amount of minutes and she's completely turned England's history basically on its head and enabled us and helped us reach another final. I actually thought Nadine that almost winner from her an extra time. It had a Lauren James energy to it. The way she side footed it, the way it sort of looped up and over. It's not the conventional ball. It's the creative ball and it's the composure at which she hits these balls. Yeah, absolutely. And I think in that chance, it would be disrespectful to call it a chance. It wasn't really a chance. There was something that she did which led to the opportunity. And it started with the pace to running behind and the strength to be able to hold somebody off.

But then to see where the goalkeeper is and to have that level of finesse at that sort of speed. She was really, really good. And I think what I enjoyed the most from her today was in previous games, you've that whole element of well, let's throw the kitchen sink at a team, let's be chaotic and so on. But when she went into extra time I thought she led the line really well. I thought some of her movement was really good, the hold up play was really good, the sort of chance creation as well was really good and she looked very much at ease there. And these are big moments, it's a European Championship semi-final, you're 19 years of age and she played in a manner like she's been there tons of times before like some of her England teammates. So yeah, listen, she's been a star. She's been an absolute star and I think obviously there will be conversations about will she start in the final but I think if she does come on, you know for a fact she's going to affect the game in a positive manner.

And another star that we knew about already, Ellen, Chloe Kelly coming on as the sub. She has a huge grin on her face as she just walks past down our commentary position. She's just been egging the fans on and on in these celebrations, but she comes on. 119 minutes gone is when that rebounded penalty went in. In fact, a word on the penalty then initially saved and then she follows up on the rebound but in terms of the character for a big moment it was the right call. Absolutely I had a terrifying moment that was like can she kick it again after the goalie saved it. I had this horrible feeling that it wasn't gonna count but thankfully she had the composure to obviously sprint and and touch it under the goalkeeper. Elatun was there just for backup as well.

But yeah, I think just to have that composure, to be able to still follow up your chance, even if the goalie had saved it. And yeah, again, she's coming to England's rescue and she's got that mentality to come on and make a huge difference. And I'm sure there's been conversations of what she is as a sub to come on

and bring something different. I think to sort of sum up that moment as well, like she's just missed the penalty. Obviously she taps in the rebound. Then she jogs away telling everybody, calm down. We've got everything under control here. It's like, okay, okay, as long as you feel okay, then so be it.

That's the most Chloe Kelly thing to do. And remember she's the one who scored an extra time when England went on to win it three years ago. I mean, Ellen, you remember it better than than any of us. Karen, I just want, though, just to play devil's advocate here. Was it a penalty? Should it have been a penalty? Didn't get a VAR check, but Mark Klaassenberg on FOPS said he wouldn't have given it, as it was not something he said you settle a match for. Well, it's a foul, then it's a foul, isn't it? And it's not like Mark you can't win. It's not something that you can't win. It's not something he said you settle a match for. Well, it's

a foul, and it's a foul, isn't it? And it's not like Mark Clattenberg to not be controversial. But you know, I mean, to be honest, we didn't get many replays up here, and it happened quite fast. And I'll be honest. I don't care.

We're into the final, so look, teams find a way to win. Don't they like good teams find away and Georgia Stanway said it numerous times. We've been involved in it haven't we, Ellen, in terms of you might not play the best football but you can put yourself in an opportunity to win the game and that's exactly what England did. So, you know, full credit to Italy as well. Like they thought they were absolutely exquisite in the way that they approached this game, the way they kind of put themselves about, you know, their work rate in midfield in particular was absolutely outstanding. Their wing backs were up and down the pitch and they thought it made it really, really tough for England.

But England, I'll be honest, it felt more like luck today and it didn't go away for long periods of time. Yeah, I think you've got to give your flowers to Italy for what they've achieved at this tournament, the way they executed their game plan. I thought their backline was phenomenal, the crosses in the box, compact in spaces, denying England the chance to go in behind. But then they just grew tired and obviously England's talent and the special players were able to bring on just made that huge impact and just caused chaos, which obviously happened against Sweden. So yeah, I think I think you know they've got a hold their

heads up really high Italy but at the end of the day England just shone through at the end and they got the job done in the end it doesn't have to be pretty does it but we got to the final and that's that's all that matters. I started writing my notes Nadim for if England were gonna lose because I mean Italy credit to them were seconds away from snatching that. One of the biggest upsets in European championship history, undoubtedly their biggest result in their history. And what I've written down here is, should Serena Vigman not have known that Italy were going to play as they did

in that final 15 minutes? Stop-start, the fouls, the easy going down, the cramp. Should those changes have come sooner? I've written complacency, question mark. I don't know if that's too harsh. It's certainly something Vigman talked about beforehand. Yeah, I don't think it's complacency. I always find that quite a tough thing to say

from this side of the fence, because while you're playing in a game, you get very much caught in the emotions of something. And I think sometimes as well, as a player, I don't know if Ellen would agree in KB as well, like you can see a team on video but it feels very different when you're out there playing against them because all of a sudden there's a different sense, there's different pressures, different things have happened within the game itself like how are they emotionally reacting

to things that are going on, you know how do they feel about the decisions of the game like I think the manager Sanchin doesn't think it's a penalty so he's worked up on the sideline, the players are worked up on the sideline, You know the little decisions effect in the way they're going and the viewers England as well How do you feel within that moment? So wouldn't say it's complacency But I think overall like the credit that I truly give to them is I thought they played really well as an underdog I think today we haven't seen the best of England overall But it's a tough thing to say like nobody said it

Yeah I hope nobody says it to say that England weren't the better team on the day because they were. And I think they got the moments that led to them getting to their deserved position. So yeah, I think Italy were great but the tier is going to be there because unfortunately there's a reason why they were Dark Horse is not one of the favorites because they couldn't manage some of those bigger moments especially in tournament football like we've seen in England across the last two tournaments. I mean, speaking of big moments as well, you know, for me, it was really incredible to see Jess

Carter get on the pitch as well. And there's been, you know, so much support here in the stands, in the ground. We've seen, you know, banners in terms of go, Jess, you know, things like that. And the actual cheer that she got when she came on was huge. So there's more to it at stake than just football as well, which is a big piece.

That's so true. She's faced racist abuse online this week and massive cheers in the stands today and the 16th minute as well, which is her shirt number and a few minutes played as well. Right, Gary Flintoff is in the tunnel with Ella Toon. I am indeed. Thank you, Katie. I have to say that Ella looks as if she's given absolutely everything tonight, but it's been worth it because you're in the final. Yeah, definitely worth it. We said when we stepped out onto the pitch today that we would give absolutely everything. And by the end of it, we'd be dead on our feet.

And that's exactly what we are. But we grafted and we got the goal that we needed at the end and yeah both in and another final. Michelle Ajiman is literally just stood to your right, I mean were you beginning to doubt or did you always believe that moment would come? You always believe it, we're England, we fight right to the very end, you've seen that already this tournament and when you've got players who can come on off the bench and impact a game like we have you've always got that belief and yeah Miesch deserves that she's been a star this tournament coming on and changing the game and yeah it's amazing feeling for her but for the whole team as well so yeah we're delighted with

that and off to a third final in a row. And of course Chloe Kelly comes on again and Chloe Kelly does what Chloe does and even when she has the penalty saved she's still the first player to get there. I mean can you put into words what she did again for the bench today? Yeah again another game changer who's come on a few times in this tournament and really changed the game and impacted the game. Same as tonight we're very confident when Chloe steps up and takes the penalty and even though she missed the first one, she was right there, took it off my toes. You were almost there.

I was almost there. Some of the girls thought it was me but she can have it, she deserves it. She's been amazing this tournament for us, coming off, changing the game and that's what the whole squad's about and we're absolutely over the moon. I'm sure you'd like to say, oh it's's gonna be easier in the final but of course it's a final isn't it and whoever you play I mean that is gonna be again an exceptionally tough game. Of course it's gonna be a tough game no matter what it's a final and you know people put on big performances in finals and that's what

we're gonna have to do it's gonna be a tough game but yeah one that we're really looking forward to you know we turn up in finals and yeah we're excited about it and we've got to make sure that we recover from again 120 minutes is it but yeah we're like I say we're over the moon and dead on our feet. Have you got enough energy to celebrate tonight? I mean I don't think my calves have but yeah I'll give it a good go after I've had doping again. No! So I'm not very happy about that, but we'll celebrate tonight. We deserve to put in a big shift and make sure that we enjoy this moment, but make sure that we prepare properly for the final

and make sure that we recharge because the girls are putting a big shift tonight. Lots of fluids. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you, Bella. I mean, what a shift from Melatune there, Nadam. She lets Chloe Kelly get the winner. She has to go through acty doping. It's going to be a long, long night. But that's the key thing.

She says we always have the belief. And I actually picked out a quote from you the other day on Five Live. You said it's tough not to believe in them when they have that belief in themselves. Yeah, absolutely. They've done it so many times now. Why would you think they're not going to be able to do it?

At times it's almost a shock when they don't do it. Even in the very first game of the tournament, that France game, I had a belief that they were going to do it, even though they'd not been great throughout the majority of that game. And they were close to doing it as well. So I'm very much a believer in them, a believer in the manager, the changes that they're making at times. Obviously it's different for KB who's played, for Ellen who's played, so they're very much involved, to be deeply involved in it.

But from a footballing perspective, they're a team which at times feel like a team of destiny because they have a way to do things. And it's not perfect, it's very much up and down. But it seems to be finishing with the up. And I think the point that was made there from Ella, that's three finals in a row. For at any level that's incredible for these women this is incredible and it's not just down to look some obviously look places part in

some ways but they're a good enough team they have the quality they have opportunities Italy had opportunities the detainer won't know because they didn't have the quality that England have the structure that England have the belief thing when have and the fact that they know this is their title to defend. And this is a team that played in a World Cup final not too long ago. So out there on the field against anybody, they fear nobody.

And believe as long as there's time on the clock, then you keep on going because good things can happen. Back to Gary in the tunnel. Thank you, Katie. Yes, I have to say, there's a fantastic smile on the face of the England captain, Leah Williamson. I would imagine though you weren't smiling all evening, but that was quite the finish, wasn't it? Yeah, I know I'm annoyed that we got ourselves into the situation we were in again, but it just feels like turning that around is just inevitable and the girls are just incredible, incredible.

We should pay tribute to Italy, shouldn't we? Because they probably played the game of their lives this evening. They had a game planned, they executed it, everybody in their team was hot on it. In contrast to the first half, I think we were slightly, had a few miscommunications, a few hairier moments than needed to be, but they were just so drilled and so relentless with it. So, congratulations to them for a fantastic tournament, but we needed to win today. We did and we found a way. Serena often says, in fact she said all the time, that off the bench you have quality once again. Beth obviously comes on wins the penalty right at the end, but Chloe Kelly and Michelle Adjimann,

can you sum up their contributions in this tournament so far? You don't win a tournament with 11 players or 13, 14, 15, you win it with 23, everybody in this team plays their role down to a tee and I think that's testament to it and you know what those girls deserve the spotlight and we'll give them their flowers because they turn up and they did it and I'm so proud of them. I'm so happy to call them both my teammates or all three of them my teammates, the ones that you mentioned at club and country, but every single person, every little cog in the wheel. I'm so proud in these moments because I know what we do and I know how much you guys don't see

and those girls step up and they take their moment. I'm so proud of them. Let me ask you this question though, it's a fairly serious question but you know a lot of the nation they're going, Serena make the change, make the change, make the change. Are you sort of along with that? Do you understand what they're saying or do you believe absolutely 100% in the woman who's just stood to my left hand side here? I don't think any of us question that. I think everybody just, like I say, you play your role that you're asked to do until you're not asked to do it anymore. And when those girls come, you know that they're going to be ready and you know

that they will come at some point. So yeah, just unwavering belief and just sticking to your task and doing it, like I say, until either you can't or she takes you off. And I suppose the reason is it's yet another final for this England team. Yeah, I don't know, it's not sunk in for me yet. The game had too much going on. But it is another final. An opportunity, again, another opportunity for us to go out and make our country proud, you know, celebrate what football is all about in a final. And I know you'll believe again, won't you?

Yeah, we take that with us. Football is football, anything can happen. But we go in with knowing exactly what we're required to do and trying everything in our power to deliver to the best of our ability. Once again, great drama. We cannot knock you for that, I'll tell you, at this tournament. It's just them in the stadium and getting their money's worth in a ticket, that's all I'm saying. Well done tonight, congratulations, you're in the final once again. Thank you. From my very first game I knew that I wanted to be a goalkeeper.

The buzz and the adrenaline that I got from it. The dream was to always represent my country. I remember saying, I know I've got what it takes. You have to be obsessed. You just look at some of the saves that she makes. Not everyone can do that. I really had no idea really how far I would go. England around dawn of the day. It felt like my world was ending.

That was the moment I was in pieces on the kitchen floor. You have to hit rock bottom to understand what you really want. Mary would put herself in front of anything and feel like she could stop it. I've done something that I've always dreamed of doing. Mary would put herself in front of anything and feel like she could stop it. I've done something that I've always dreamed of doing and never knew if I would get the opportunity to do. Mary Earps, Queen of Stops. Watch on BBC iPlayer.

Bring more gear, carry more passengers, face greater challenges. Welcome to the world of Defender. With seating up to eight, ample cargo space, and legendary off-road capability, it's built to make the most of every adventure. Learn more at LandRover.ca. The Football Daily Podcast with Katie Smith at UEFA Women's Euro 2025. Karen, England are in the final. I'm going to keep saying it, we're allowed to say the F word now. Our engineer Rob has been making us call it Matchday 31,

but it is now the final, I can confirm. And it will be Germany or Spain in that final. And that's quite key because that's either a rerun for England at the World Cup final or it's a rerun at the European final. They won't care who they're playing and Ellen you can back me on this right I mean they're in the final now you know Spain obviously quality they've been quality throughout I think it'd be a tasty rematch obviously with the way that World Cup final ended and the fact that you know England beat

Spain in the Nations League as well will give them plenty of confidence, but Based on this team this tournament, you know, it's the mindset that makes a difference So I think they'll go into this next final fully Full of self-belief that they can beat whichever opponent they face. Obviously both will be slightly different challenges, but they're certainly up for it. Right, the England boss is in the tunnel, Serena Vigmen with Gary Flintsov. She is indeed. Thank you, Katie, Serena, many, many congratulations.

This is going to make some movie one day, isn't it? Yeah, we're going to make a movie someday. Yeah, well, this is a movie, many congratulations. This is gonna make some movie one day, isn't it? Yeah, we're gonna make a movie some day, yeah. Well, this is a movie, my goodness. No, it's unbelievable. We didn't play very good first half. Tempo was too low. They scored a good goal, and you know, against Italy when they are up,

then it's even harder to break down, and they defended really well, technically. I thought they did really well. I think in the second half we played better But still we yeah, we didn't score so we had to change again and bring in fresh players and change the shape a little bit And then it was Michelle again who who scored the 1-1 in the extra time. So That was good. And yeah, just in time and of course at the end of the extra time we got the penalty I haven't seen it back I don't know what really happened but...

Arms around Beth Meade I think from the defender. Yeah okay well of course they were really really tough and they defended with their lives but we found the way again and I'm so relieved happy proud of the team and we go again on Sunday for another final. In terms of Michelle I mean she's so young and to have that composure inside the penalty area with everything going on around there, I mean how much of a tribute would you like to pay to her? I wouldn't even say that it's in the penalty area but also when she's a target player to keep the ball and she's like she's so young but she's so mature and she learns so quick. So one or two things you speak about and then she takes it on board straight away

and then she puts it on the pitch. And it's incredible, what a talent. Now let me ask you this because you know there'll be millions around the country going Serena we need to change it, we need to change it, we need to change it. Why do you wait and why do you always believe that you will make the change at the right time? I don't know if I make the change at the right time. Yes, we wait and it has impact and of course when you score you need to get back in another shape. That also meant that tempo had to go down as a full-back position.

I think she can play that anyway. Yeah, we waited because we thought we played well and we thought we did get some chance with just the final touch and finding the edge. There was the space we thought. So that's why we waited actually. Well it worked again and I have to say, what does it mean to be in yet another final? I mean, it's an astonishing record, even before England, England But since arriving at England another final for this England team. Yeah, well to be honest, it's a bit surreal Playing finals is so special and it's not given to many people and it's very there's only two teams that can make a final and It's the competition is so high and so intense that you know before you go to the tournament

everyone wants to make the final and so do we. But how big is the chance? You never know. But we're just going for it and yeah here we are again. It's really really special. Many many congratulations and good luck for the final. Yeah thank you very much and see you Sunday. Oh Serena Vigman with Gary Flint of Ellen. I've just been watching your reactions as you were listening to that, just beaming smart. I mean, you know her so well, but I was just thinking how utterly remarkable

that is now five major tournament finals in a row for Serena Vigman. Have you written that down? I mean, just how do we even sum that up? I don't even think you can put that into words. It's just absolutely phenomenal. She's just got a winning mentality and she's just so ruthless.

And she's such an amazing manager, communicator, coach. To be one 2017 and the final in 2019, one 2022, final in 2023 and now the final in 2025. It's just astonishing what she's achieved for the Netherlands and now England. And yeah, I just loved when she said that we scored just in time, I loved. She was just waiting like, yeah, that's perfect.

Just that little ingredient where she's like, just add your man on and just in time. But yeah, she's just such an amazing human being and she's just um yeah I can't I can't kind of love her anymore for what she's done for this country and me as a person as well but yeah she's she seems to be doing it very late at the moment though and just yeah my my stress levels are quite high which is terrifying. Why does why does she leave it so late, Ellen? Because she said there, I don't know.

I don't think she knows herself. Obviously, she's watching the game constantly and talking to her technical staff, and there was chances created. So she's almost waiting for something to happen, and she wants it to happen with the players that she's got on the pitch. She doesn't necessarily want to make changes.

She wants the players to figure stuff out and create solutions themselves. And then it gets to a point where in a game, obviously things need to change. We need that chaos. We need some drama. We need something different. We need a momentum change and we need a personnel change.

And then that's when obviously she does put on a number of subs. Obviously brought Beth Mead on at halftime, Adjiman and Chloe Kelly who made a huge impact. But yeah, I think, you know, it's just her just thinking, right, this is the moment and this is when we need it and then hopefully just in time someone scores. Ellen do you think if Chloe Kelly and Michelle Adjiman come on on 60 minutes

that the margins are less fine for England at the end? I don't know because I feel like Italy have still got a lot of energy then they're still quite compact. I don't know at that moment then we're going to be causing chaos and are we able to create the chances that we want to and are we be able to sustain that amount of time for a significant amount of time. It's almost like you're bringing them on for 15-20 minutes and just it's all guns blazing and everything's about scoring that one goal. Do we bring them on for 30 minutes and then potentially we do end up winning the game? I don't know.

Obviously we saw Adjiman play a slightly different role in extra time, like Nadam says, being able to hold up the ball, make him run in behind. And I think she is a great, completely different to Russo, which I really love and something different. So potentially it could be amazing, but at the same time it seemed to have worked that she's bringing them on at the right time it's just I don't

fancy extra time and penalties that's the only thing. Well you know what we're gonna get to do it all again guys and we're gonna get more answers hopefully because we go again on Sunday. England can you believe it are back into the European Championship final. That's all from today's Football Daily. Tomorrow we will be back to bring reaction from the second semi-final here in Switzerland. Will Germany or Spain be facing England in the final on Sunday? And for more women's football content you can search Women's Euros on BBC Sounds. That's where you'll find the Toonie and Russo show and Big Kick Energy as well. Plus don't forget you can celebrate the Lionesses win with Radio 1 Anthems 2. Here,

the biggest football anthems to start getting ready for that final on Sunday. Just ask your smart speaker to play Radio 1 Anthems. Hello Chris Jones here from Rugby Union Weekly. We're all over the Lions Tour of Australia, pre-match podcast, post-match podcast, on the whistle podcast from all the Lions matches down under. We also have a special Lions top 10 series. We're two greats of Lions Rugby, Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts, and we've been ranking everything from icons to controversies.

We've got moments, tours, tries. You're in the controversies, Matt. Jamie, you're in the controversies too. Indirectly. Indirectly, not your fault. It is all there. Two men who have been there, done it and won it on a Lions Tour. Get it now. Lions top tens on Rugby Union Weekly on BBC Sounds.