Lionesses' memorable semi-final ties

The Lionesses are through to the semi-final of a major tournament once again after booking their place in the final four at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 where they will lock horns with Italy.

Here, we take a trip down memory lane to look back on some of England’s most memorable semi-final match-ups from tournaments past.

Australia 1-3 England – 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

In securing passage to their first-ever Women’s World Cup final, the Lionesses knocked out tournament hosts, Australia, running out 3-1 winners in Sydney in front of a sold-out Stadium Australia.

Ella Toone broke the deadlock in the first half before Chelsea forward Sam Kerr got the Matildas back on terms. However, Lauren Hemp restored England’s lead in the 71st minute and Alessia Russo ensured the Lionesses were heading for the final against Spain when she made it three with 86 minutes gone.

Making sure of our place in the @FIFAWWC FINAL!

🏹 @alessiarusso7 pic.twitter.com/weqI7SjjML

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 16, 2023

England 4-0 Sweden – UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

Sarina Wiegman’s side breezed past Sweden to reach the final of EURO 2022 on home soil, scoring four against the Blue and Yellow at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane to make it 19 games without defeat under the England head coach.

Beth Mead opened the scoring in the first half before Lucy Bronze made it 2-0 after the break. But it was Alessia Russo’s instinctive backheel finish – a goal which was immortalised in the history books – which was the pick of the bunch, while Fran Kirby also got in on the act.

England 2-1 Netherlands – UEFA Women’s EURO 2009

With Hope Powell – who reached the final with England as a player in 1984 – at the helm, England reached a European final, with Jill Scott the hero in injury time as the Lionesses edged the Netherlands in the 2009 semi-final at Tampere Stadium in Finland.

Kelly Smith fired England into the lead with 61 minutes played only for Marious Pieete to equalise just minutes later for the Netherlands. With nothing to separate the two teams, it went to extra time and with four minutes of the game remaining, midfielder Scott bagged the winner.

England 3-1 Denmark* – UEFA Women’s EURO 1984

Over two legs, England booked their place in the final of the first-ever edition of the European Championships, seeing off Denmark in the four-team tournament.

A 2-1 win over their opponents on home turf at Crewe Alexadra’s Gresty Road – with goals from Kerry Davis and Liz Deighan – in the first leg meant all was still to play for in the return clash which took place in Hjørring. Debbie Bampton scored the only goal of the game in the second leg to see England progress.

*On aggregate