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Wednesday 23 July 2025 10:42
Manchester United Women midfielder Ella Toone is celebrating, after reaching a third successive major tournament final with England.
Our no.7 played the full 120 minutes, as the Lionesses snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Italy in the semi-final.
Michelle Agyemang’s dramatic 96th-minute equaliser sent the tie to extra time and, just as penalties looked certain, Sarina Wiegman’s side were awarded a spot-kick for a foul in the box.
Chloe Kelly converted after her initial effort was saved, sending England to Sunday’s showpiece event, against either Germany or Spain – their opponents in the Euro 2022 and 2023 World Cup finals, respectively.
“Definitely worth it [the stress]. We said when we stepped on to the pitch we would give everything and by the end be dead on our feet, and that’s what we are,” Toone told BBC Radio 5Live after the final whistle.
“We grafted and got the goal we needed at the end. Buzzing, we’re in another final.
“You always believe it (the moment will come). We’re England, we fight to the end.
“When you’ve got players to come off the bench and impact the game like we have you’ve always got that belief.”
Toone has played a pivotal role in each of England’s final runs, scoring twice on the way to victory in 2022, including the opening goal in the Wembley decider.
A year later, she notched in the semi-final success over hosts Australia, becoming the first England footballer, male or female, to score in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of a major tournament.
And our midfielder has caught the eye in Switzerland too, starting each of the past four games and scoring in the group triumph over Wales.
England will have the advantage of a day’s extra rest over their next opponents – and the Lionesses definitely need that recovery time, according to Toone.
“The final is going to be tough no matter what, it’s a final. People put on big performances in finals, that’s what we are going to have to do.
“We’re excited about it. We need to recover again from 120 minutes. But we are over the moon.”
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Wednesday 23 July 2025 10:42
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