Italy player ratings vs England: Giugliano impresses but Azzurre hearts break late

Conor Clancy /

Italy agonisingly missed out on a place in the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 final after an extra-time defeat to England. Despite the Azzurre leading 1-0 for much of the game, they conceded a last-minute leveller to send the game to extra time, where Chloe Kelly won the game 2-1 for the reigning European champions.

Barbara Bonansea gave the Azzurre a first-half lead despite a troubled start for Andrea Soncin's side, but Michelle Agyemang pounced on a loose ball in the Italy area to level things in the 97th minute of play. Then, in extra time, Kelly converted after Laura Giuliani had denied her from the penalty spot to end the Azzurre's final dreams.

Barbara Bonansea scores for the Italy Women's National Team against England at UEFA Women's EURO 2025. (@AzzurreFIGC)

Italy player ratings vs England at Women’s EURO 2025

Giuliani 6.5; Lenzini 6 (89' Piga 5.5), Salvai 7, Linari 5.5; Oliviero 6.5, Caruso 6.5, Giugliano 7.5 (89' Greggi 6), Di Guglielmo 6.5; Cantore 6.5 (73' Cambiaghi 6), Girelli 6.5 (64' Piemonte 6.5), Bonansea 6 (73' Severini 5.5).

Italy Player of the Match – Manuela Giugliano

Manuela Giugliano in action for the Italy Women's National Team against England at UEFA Women's EURO 2025. (@AzzurreFIGC)

In a first half that saw Italy looking jittery and panicked, Manuela Giugliano was the epitome of calm and composure in the middle, giving the Azzurre a presence that they desperately needed.

The AS Roma No.10 showed every bit of her technical ability to offer her teammates precious moments of calm when everything around them appeared to be spinning at times, and appeared to be in multiple places at once as she covered every blade of grass at the Stade de Geneve.

Having had a relatively underwhelming tournament prior to Tuesday, Giugliano delivered exactly the kind of performance that she has done on so many ocasions for the Giallorosse, and it is that level of performance that saw her become the first-ever Italian woman to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or in 2024.