Page 7 – The Pulse of Football

Jul

2025

Into the final: England’s heart-stopping summer lives on despite near perfect Italy gameplan

95 minutes into their Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy, England were heading home. Instead, the Lionesses will contest a third consecutive major final after winning 2-1.

By Jamie Spencer

2022, 2023, and now 2025. England’s irrepressible Lionesses are into yet another final. But, again, it was no easy ride, with Italy executing an almost perfect gameplan in Geneva on Tuesday night.

England had no excuses, heavy favourites ahead of kick-off after seeing off a more polished and dangerous opponent in Sweden in the previous round. Italy hadn’t fluked their way to a first semi-final in 28 years, though, before demonstrating their impressive clinical quality, and even more impressive resilience to get within seconds of reaching the final themselves.

Le Azzurre took the lead in all five of their games at these Euros, including against Spain during the group stage. But they never managed to lead 2-0 at any point across those outings and, critically, when England cancelled out Barbara Bonansea’s opener in the sixth minute of stoppage time, it was the fourth time they have been pegged back. Only once after conceding, against Norway in the quarter-finals, did they actually go on to win the game.

In truth, Italy’s big achievement, as Europe’s eighth-ranked team coming into this tournament, was getting this far. But it absolutely will not feel like that in the circumstances.

England had played into France’s hands in the group stage, and into Sweden’s for 78 minutes of the quarter-final. Both pressed with intensity and made it difficult for the Lionesses to play. Italy took a different approach, sitting deeper and tasking England with breaking down a low block.

Part of that saw the Italians reluctant to engage Lauren James when she got on the ball, standing off, conscious of how easily the Chelsea star can shift the ball either side to beat players.

But with England unable to capitalise on dominating the opening quarter of the game, Italy grew in confidence. Their xG stood at just 0.04 prior to Bonansea’s breakthrough strike, with Hannah Hampton not tested and no real threat on her goal. It was a disappointing one for England to concede, not dealing with the cross into the box, with Bonansea on hand at the far post to blast in.

Where Bonansea went for power, James opted for precision as England tried to hit straight back, read and parried by Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani. James went off at half-time with an ankle injury.

As Italy defended in numbers, England lacked a final ball or quality in the finish, getting things wrong in the key moment or snatching at shooting opportunities. The compact shape and closing of space centrally forced England wide and to increasingly resort to shooting from distance.

With the end of the game and a historic result in sight, Italy made it their mission to frustrate and disrupt any English momentum. Every effort was taken to slow things down, in no rush to restart play at throw-ins or free-kicks. Giuliani was yellow carded for timewasting with 17 minutes still to go.

The AC Milan stopper had been outstanding all night, routinely claiming balls to ease the pressure on the defence in front of her. It was harsh that her first mistake, distracted by Beth Mead as the England forward ran across her line of sight and spilling the ball, proved so costly. The loose ball fell into the path of substitute Michelle Agyemang, who equalised late for the second game running.

Incredibly fitting is that the teenager’s surname, of Ghanaian origin, means ‘saviour of the nation’.

Agyemang has scored as many times for England (3) in the last three and a half months alone as she did for Brighton in the whole of the 2024/25 WSL season. It’s a bizarre case of an international career taking off before a club career, but she is truly England’s wildcard, and even struck the bar in the second half of extra-time, as a clever lob rebounded off the woodwork.

Cruelly, the semi-final ultimately hinged on two moments involving Italy substitute Emma Severini. The Fiorentina midfielder, just four days on from her 22nd birthday and winning only a 12th senior cap after coming on midway through the second half, was guilty of missing a glorious chance to double her team’s lead on 86 minutes. It could have killed the tie in Italy’s favour, with the ball spilled by Hampton and Severini in place to turn in the rebound on the edge of the six-yard box. But the effort lacked conviction and the England goalkeeper was able to gratefully gather.

The difference was that Agyemang, in a very similar scenario 10 minutes later, kept her composure.

Another penalty shootout beckoned in the final stages of extra-time, until Severini naively wrestled Mead to the ground in full view of the referee. It resulted in an England spot-kick, virtually a sudden death moment, to win it there and then. Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood stood in discussion over who would take it, before Chloe Kelly stepped forward. There is a swagger and arrogance about the Arsenal forward, who went viral for a bullet penalty in the World Cup two summers ago and converted against Sweden last week.

Giuliani actually saved this one. But Kelly was on hand to gobble up the rebound, narrowly beating Ella Toone to the loose ball, before gesturing to the crowd that it was never in doubt. Just like Agyemang, she has had a huge impact on England at this tournament as an impact sub, with decisive interventions off the bench in successive knockout games.

A rematch of the Euro 2022 final against Germany, or the 2023 World Cup final against Spain now awaits. We’ll know which it is on Wednesday night.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings.

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Jul

2025

Could Ekitike and Wirtz strike up the next great Liverpool partnership?

Hugo Ekitike is going to be a Liverpool player. It is simply a case of when the deal is going to be confirmed rather than if the transfer will happen. The 23-year-old is set to complete his medical before joining the Premier League champions on a six-year deal.

By Sam McGuire

When that move is finalised, the Reds will have secured two of the best Bundesliga players from the 2024/25 campaign. Hugo Ekitike ranked 15th last term with an average FotMob rating of 7.47. Florian Wirtz meanwhile, Liverpool’s most expensive signing, ranked sixth during his final season with Bayer Leverkusen, racking up an average FotMob rating of 7.69.

The Reds mean business. Richard Hughes is looking to arm Arne Slot with a squad capable of retaining the Premier League title. To go alongside Wirtz and Ekitike, Liverpool have already signed Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. A centre-back is still on the agenda for the Merseysiders, with Marc Guehi well liked, and another striker could be heading to Anfield too. Alexander Isak is the dream target right now but if Newcastle United aren’t prepared to part ways with him just yet, Liverpool have a list of alternatives.

Every signing to date is exciting. The most intriguing acquisitions, however, are Ekitike and Wirtz.

Throughout their history, Liverpool have had a number of prolific partnerships in attack. There was Kevin Keegan and John Toshack, Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish, Peter Beardsley and John Aldridge, John Barnes and Rush, Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore, Michael Owen and Emile Heskey, Fowler and Owen, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, and Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suárez.

You could probably include variations of Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in this too. But the focus here is going to be on Torres and Gerrard.

The legendary No. 8 was deployed as an attacking midfielder, tasked with providing the No. 9 with the ammo needed. Across three full seasons, Torres scored 56 goals in the Premier League while Gerrard struck 36 times.

The 2008/09 campaign was, in fact, the most productive campaign of Gerrard’s career with 16 league goals and 24 across all competitions.

For further context here, the only time that the former Liverpool skipper scored 20+ goals in back-to-back campaigns coincided with the signing of Torres from Atlético Madrid. While the only time the Spanish forward netted 30+ in a single season was during his debut year at Anfield.

It was a partnership that just worked.

We might see a similar partnership between Ekitike and Wirtz.

According to French outlet L’Equipe, Slot is looking to utilise more of a 4-2-3-1 shape next season with the former Eintracht Frankfurt man set to lead the line. The report claims: “Arne Slot takes charge. In his video call with the player, the idea of a 4-2-3-1 was presented to him. The Dutch coach discusses an evolution in the Reds’ game plan, including possession sequences. In this context, he also needs a creative, mobile No. 9 capable of combining, dropping forward, and also playing deep. Darwin Núñez is not one of them.”

In a behind-closed-doors friendly against Stoke City, Wirtz was deployed as an attacking midfielder behind Darwin. To his left was Rio Ngumoha. To his right was Mohamed Salah. With Luís Diaz looking likely to leave, a new left-sided attacker is expected, with Rodrygo linked. His arrival would put to bed any thoughts that Wirtz might be used on the left for Liverpool.

*Wirtz’s passing numbers, Bundesliga 2024/25 – comparison against all players in the league*

The German maestro is going to be the man pulling the strings for the Reds in central areas. He’s going to be the one supplying Ekitike. It makes a lot of sense.

Last season, Wirtz ranked seventh in the Bundesliga for goals and assists (22). He was second in the German top-flight for Big Chances Created (17) and he created a total of 57 chances. His Expected Assists total (9.4) was the third highest in the league, as was his Expected Assists per 90 average (0.36). He makes things happen.

There’s a reason that both Victor Boniface (4.5 shots per 90) and Patrik Schick (3.7) ranked within the top 10 for shots last season.

Wirtz managed to get the best out of the two Bayer Leverkusen attackers. Boniface had 22 goals in 42 appearances for B04 while Schick found his way back into the starting XI last term and finished with 21 league goals.

Now, Boniface, Schick and Ekitike all share some similarities. The trio are all 6ft3 and all are huge volume shooters.

It makes perfect sense for Liverpool to have paired Ekitike with Wirtz. The latter knows how to work with someone of the former’s profile.

In his single full season with Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekitike finished fourth in the Bundesliga for Goals and Assists (23). He had the second highest xG haul with 21.7. Only Serhou Guirassy accumulated a higher xG total. While the France under-21 international ranked fifth for shots per 90 with 4.1.

On paper, it should just work. And if it does work, we’re about to see Wirtz and Ekitike, both of whom had excellent seasons prior to their moves to Anfield, scale their output to even greater heights. Liverpool might be about to have yet another prolific duo spearheading their attack. It’d be another partnership for the history books.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Jul

2025

Can Bruno Fernandes become the true No. 8 that Amorim needs at United?

After rejecting a move to the Saudi Pro League, Bruno Fernandes could have a different role for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United team this season.

By Graham Ruthven

As bad as Manchester United’s 2025/26 season was, it would have been even worse had it not been for Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese’s goals and assists were worth 12 points to the Old Trafford outfit, a total that was the difference between 15th place and a genuine fight against relegation from the Premier League.

Of course, Fernandes has long been United’s lifeline. He is the only slam dunk signing made by the club in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson age, consistently performing at a level that nobody else at Old Trafford has been able to match. It’s no wonder the 30-year-old considered leaving for Saudi Arabia earlier in the summer.

*Fernandes season summary at United (all competitions)*

Even after deciding to stay at Manchester United, though, Fernandes could find that the landscape has shifted beneath his feet. With Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the door, Ruben Amorim needs his best player to adapt. He needs Fernandes to be the number eight he wears on his back.

Last season made clear United’s desperate need to improve their attack. A total of just 44 goals in 38 league games was reflective of a team lacking ideas in the final third and so the Old Trafford club moved quickly to address this, spending £130m to bring in Cunha and Mbeumo after the pair combined for 35 goals in the Premier League last term.

In Amorim’s system, Cunha and Mbeumo will be a good fit for the two attacking positions behind the centre forward. From there, the pair will have the freedom to find space with Cunha most comfortable attacking from the left and Mbeumo at his best when he can operate down the right side.

This, however, doesn’t do much to accommodate Fernandes as an attacker, meaning the 30-year-old could be pushed deeper into midfield where Manchester United need a number eight. Fernandes could be about to move into a new phase of his career with Amorim providing some early indications of his different role.

In United’s first pre-season friendly against Leeds United, Fernandes was deployed in central midfield. The Portuguese was partnered with Casemiro in the centre of the pitch with Toby Collyer and Cunha played in a more advanced role as dual notional 10s. Fernandes was the pace-setter in the middle of the pitch.

Fernandes could potentially have the skill set to make his new role work. He completed more passes per 90 minutes (49) than any other Manchester United midfielder last season. He also created more chances (91) than any of his teammates with his progressive passing among the best of any other player’s in the Premier League.

Defensively, Fernandes ranked sixth in the United squad for tackles per 90 minutes last season, but his positional awareness has been questioned in the past. The Portuguese might not have the quality against the ball to operate as a true two-way number eight, making it all the more important Amorim finds him the right midfield partner.

Casemiro started against Leeds, but Manuel Ugarte is another defensive-minded midfielder who could mask some of Fernandes’ deficiencies although the Uruguayan endured a difficult first season in the Premier League. Kobbie Mainoo is another option available to Amorim with the England international one of Manchester United’s most mobile players.

United’s midfield has been a conundrum for years. Paul Pogba was meant to be the club’s next great central operator after the likes of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, but never lived up to his billing. Donny van de Beek, Nemanja Matić, Fred, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin and Nick Powell all came and went without making much of an impression. Casemiro, Mason Mount and Ugarte remain, but have similarly struggled.

Manchester United’s summer window has been slower than Amorim surely would have liked. Cunha was signed quickly, but negotiations with Brentford over Mbeumo’s transfer took over a month with the Cameroonian only announced as a United player on Monday. The club seems incapable of working on more than a single deal at any one time.

It’s not just incoming transfers Manchester United must hurry along, but outgoing ones too. Marcus Rashford is on his way to Barcelona on loan with Juventus interested in Jadon Sancho, but a solution is needed for the rest of the so-called ‘Bomb Squad’ who are training separate to the rest of Amorim’s core group. They have no future at the club.

Fernandes, however, very much does have a future at the club, it just might be in a different role to the one he has performed so well for the last five-and-a-half years. The player Manchester United have needed him to be might be different to the one they now need him to be moving forward.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Manchester United game with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jul

2025

Preview: England and Italy meet in first Euros semifinal

One more win will see either England or Italy become the first team to book a place in the Euro 2025 final.

By Jamie Spencer

A place in the final

An England side that performs better than anyone else at major tournaments is seeking to make it to a third successive final at the Euros and World Cup. For Italy, this opportunity to reach another major final has been 28 years in the making.

The Lionesses have looked beaten a couple of times already, humbled by France in the group stage and then finding themselves 2-0 down in the quarter-final against Sweden until the final 12 minutes. But big wins over the Netherlands and Wales, and a chaotic last eight comeback, demonstrated an uncanny ability to get the job done when it matters most.

Italy followed Spain out of Group B, beating Belgium and drawing with Portugal either side of a loss against the reigning world champions. A 90^th minute quarter-final winner against Norway, having earlier been ahead, resulted in a first semi-final appearance since Euro 1997.

Head-to-head

England thrashed Italy 5-1 in a 2024 friendly and secured a 2-1 win in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup. Due to a dominant edge in the 1990s, when England didn’t record a single win against Le Azzurre, Italy lead the overall head-to-head record, victorious in 14 of 32 prior meetings, compared to England’s 12. But Italy haven’t beaten England since 2012.

Italy’s former glories

Italy were one of the early powerhouses of women’s international football, contesting each of the first five European Championships when it was just a four-team tournament. They were runners-up to Norway in 1993 and again reached the final in 1997 when the competition was first expanded to eight teams. But then came a slump that they have never fully emerged from.

*Italy’s predicted line up has an average age of 29.3 years old*

The great hope is that after a surprising run to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2019 but group stage exits at the Euros in 2017, 2022 and the World Cup in 2023, this summer could be more of a permanent catalyst. The other side of that coin is plenty of experience will soon be lost, with seven of the 23 players selected this summer aged 31 or older.

‘Proper England’

It’s been the buzz phrase around the squad since the opening defeat to France, coined by Georgia Stanway, who was one of many that were subpar in that first game. When ‘Proper England’ show up, as the Netherlands, Wales and, eventually, Sweden, found out, they are among the very best around.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, player of the match against Sweden, puts it down to “English blood”, the attitude that it’s never over until it’s over.

*England’s top five rated players at the tournament*

Team news

England were sweating on the fitness of captain Leah Williamson after rolling her ankle the quarter-final, but the Arsenal defender trained on Monday along with all 22 other players in the squad.

Italy midfielders Arianna Caruso and Manuela Giugliano were working in the gym to overcome fitness issues on Monday and could remain doubts. Veteran forward Cristiana Girelli has scored three of Italy’s five goals at the tournament, including both against Norway last time out.

Prediction

England’s quarter-final against Sweden was the tougher task, which bodes well for the Lionesses, especially after the nature of that game. What works in Italy’s favour is a day’s extra rest and preparation time, but that doesn’t feel like enough to make a decisive difference. England 3-1 Italy.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings.

And for exclusive coverage from on the ground at the tournament, please sign up for our free newsletter – here.

Jul

2025

Preview: Inter Miami visit New York Red Bulls

Inter Miami’s packed schedule of matches continues with their ninth game in little over a month, as they travel to New Jersey to face the New York Red Bulls.

By James Nalton

They’ll be looking to get back to winning ways after a heavy defeat in midweek, but could face a tough test at the Sports Illustrated Arena.

A bump in the road to recovery

Inter Miami come into this game on the back of a first league defeat in seven games. A game which also ended a five-game winning streak.

It was a battle between two of the best players in the league, Lionel Messi and Evander, which was won by the latter as Cincinnati emerged as 3-0 winners at home, with Evander scoring twice.

It was the first Inter Miami MLS game in seven to not feature goals for both teams, and only the third MLS game this season in which Inter Miami have failed to score.

It dented their quest to catch the teams at the top of the table, especially as league leaders Philadelphia Union scraped a win against Montréal.

Miami remain eight points off the top with three games in hand, so despite this hiccup, they could still overtake these teams if they win all of those games.

Will Messi play?

Messi is a doubt for the game against the Red Bulls, with head coach Javier Mascherano commenting that they will decide after training on Friday whether he will be fit to play on Saturday night.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they left it until the day of the game itself to decide whether Messi can play, such is his importance to the team.

If he does miss out, it will be interesting to see how the team performs in his absence, given he’s scored 11 goals in their last seven games.

One player who will definitely be missing is goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. Mascherano has indicated that Rocco Ríos Novo will take his place.

Red Bulls recovery

Assessments of the Red Bulls this season will depend on how convincing they are in qualifying for the post-season from here on in, and the post-season itself.

So far, they’ve been hit and miss, epitomised by their previous game, against New England Revolution, in which they were behind 2-0 at half time after a poor showing, and then played some good stuff to turn the game around dramatically and win 5-3. It was their first win in six games.

There are still signs of pressing from the Red Bulls — a franchise from whom such a style still seems to be expected.

They are third in the league for possession won in the final third per match, and second in the league for successful tackles per match behind a Philadelphia Union team who have traces of Red Bull in their own tactics.

Summer signing Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is already in double figures for the season with 13 goals, while Emil Forsberg still has the potential to be a game’s star player.

Prediction

If Messi plays, Inter Miami win. If he doesn’t, the Red Bulls have a chance, but a draw might be on the cards.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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Jul

2025

Spain’s Vicky Lopez has the world at her feet

Barcelona have only gone and done it again. In an era where which Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí came through at the club to become the best in the world, Vicky López may well be next.

By Alex Roberts

Lamine Yamal isn’t the only 18-year-old sensation they have on their books; Vicky López actually scored one more league goal than her men’s team counterpart, ending 2024/25 with 11 goals and two assists form her 37 games across all competitions.

López has been surrounded by hype throughout her short career. At just 15-years-old she was handed her debut in the Spanish topflight for former club Madrid CFF (not that Madrid), becoming Liga F’s youngest ever player, after racking up 60 goals in 17 games in the 2020/21 youth league.

Madrid CFF are well known for bringing through some of the best young talent the Spanish women’s game have. Unlike many, they aren’t attached to a men’s team, but their youth sides have competed with plenty of boys, still winning everything on offer.

In the Segunda Infantil, a competition for 12 and 13-year-olds, they won the championship one year, scoring a massive 269 goals, the most of any team in the Madrid Comunidad, including Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid or Getafe.

She was the undisputed star of Spain’s U17’s as they reached the final of the Euros and then went on to win the World Cup in 2022, despite being the youngest member of the squad, scoring two goals and providing one assist in her six appearances, picking up the Golden Ball along the way.

By the time her 16^th birthday came around, Barcelona came knocking and she made the move. López became one of the first girls to live and train at their famous La Masia academy after it opened its doors to women back in 2021, where she’s understood to have become close friends with Yamal.

They knew they had secured a real gem. Even at such a young age, it was easy to tell she had elite level qualities. López is rapid and the ball sticks to her right-foot, making her somewhat of a serial dribbler.

Playing primarily as a right-winger, her ability to read the game allows her to drop a little further back into central midfield, where she can fill in and learn from Putellas and Bonmatí. It’s the type of situation any young star would dream of being in.

Barcelona’s plan was to ease her in, keeping her in the B team, who play in the second division, but López had other ideas. She broke another record, becoming the youngest player to score for Barca in Liga F at the ripe old age of 16 years, five months and 27 days.

She’s everything Barcelona fans love from a winger, the joy on her face when she plays is obvious, again, she’s much like Yamal in that regard. López has dealt with the massive weight of expectation on her shoulders by doing what she does best, having fun.

Breaking into this Barcelona starting eleven is arguably one of the hardest things to do in football, and López still has some way to go. The woman in her way is Caroline Graham Hansen, one of the best players of her generation.

Graham Hansen is taller, more combative than López, she is Norwegian after all. López offers coach Pere Romeu an entirely different option with her tricks and close control, but when the time comes, considering the 12-year age gap between the two players, he has a ready-made replacement.

López’s fine form last season earned her a call-up to Montse Tomé’s squad for this summer’s Euros. Unsurprisingly she’s the youngest member of the group, and the only teenager, with fellow Barca ace Salma Paralluelo a little ahead of her at 21.

Coming into the tournament following a disappointing Euros campaign back in 2022, Spain is undoubtedly one of, if not the, favourite to win it outright. Current holders England and France are their close competition, although neither have started quite as well as the Spanish.

Their first game of Group B was against Portugal in Bern, the geographical and political centre of host nation Switzerland. López was handed her first start of the competition, coming in for Barcelona teammate Bonmatí, who was rested, as one of the two number tens.

She didn’t take long to make an impression. Veteran striker and NWSL top goal scorer Esther González opened the scoring after just two minutes before López doubled their lead in the seventh with a tap in.

The finish was easy, but it was her movement that made it. López took the ball down expertly after a dismal headed clearance from the Portugal defender, laying it off to Ona Batlle, who then passed it to Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey.

López found herself exactly where she needed to be with a clever run, latching on to Caldentey’s low cross to make it 2-0 from close-range. Her game ended in the 81^st minute, replaced by first-choice Bonmatí having completed 100% of her dribbles (5/5), created three chances, and 46/52 (88%) of her passes.

Tomé trusted López enough to give her a second start against Belgium, and again, she grasped it with both hands. She drifted off into acres of space, completely catching the Belgium defender out before gently passing the ball to Putellas who thundered it home.

She now has two goal contributions from her three games. Bonmatí was back into the first team as Spain took on Italy in their final group game, and it’s likely to stay that way for the rest of the tournament as it enters its latter stages.

López will still have plenty of chances to play over the next couple of weeks. As an option off the bench, with her abilty to draw defenders out of position and slip a teammate in with a single touch, there aren’t many better, despite her young age.

Whatever happens this summer, López will remain arguably the best young talent women’s football has. First Europe, then the world.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings.

And for exclusive coverage from on the ground at the tournament, please sign up for our free newsletter – here.

Jul

2025

England are proving themselves tournament masters after stunning quarter-final comeback

England’s Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden went the distance, but sees the Lionesses have continued an exceptional decade-long run at major tournaments.

By Jamie Spencer

If cats have nine lives, the Lionesses burned through several of them to overcome Sweden in Thursday night’s epic quarter-final.

Two hours and 48 minutes after Kosovare Asllani gave Sweden an early lead in Zurich, England emerged victorious on penalties to book a place in next week’s semis.

A run starting in 2015, England have now reached the semi-finals or better at six consecutive World Cups and European Championships. It’s been the final in each of the last two, in 2022 and 2023, and only Italy stand in the way of making that three in a row in 2025.

England have become the archetypal ‘tournament team’.

Between major competitions, results tail off but they seem to find a way when it matters most. As reigning European champions, they won only four of nine games in the eight months leading into the 2023 World Cup and continued to struggle once the tournament got going. The art of winning, sometimes grinding it out, then prevailed to go all the way to the final.

In the two years since, consistent results have again been a challenge. Losing to France to start these Euros marked a third defeat in a run of four competitive fixtures, but Wiegman’s England are proving again that they just know how to navigate the rounds of a tournament.

Against Sweden, arguably the most polished and impressive team to emerge from the group stage, they were up against it more than they ever have been.

Asllani’s opener was added to midway through the first half by Stina Blackstenius. Both goals were the result of slack defending and clinical finishing. When England had thrashed Sweden 4-0 in the semi-finals at Euro 2022, it involved weathering early pressure, before overpowering them as the game wore on. This was different and it could easily have been 4-0 by half-time.

It looked as though Sweden had taken a leaf out of France’s playbook, swarming and suffocating England in possession, and the Lionesses fell into the pressing trap.

Lauren James was surrounded by at least two yellow shirts every time the ball came her way. The Swedes also recognised the importance of Keira Walsh to any England attempt to control the game and cut off the path into the Chelsea midfielder. The pressure on Jess Carter, seemingly identified as a weak link in defence, proved fruitful for the Swedes. A sloppy pass and a lack of pace led to Sweden’s two goals respectively in that humbling opening 25 minutes.

No team had ever previously come back from two goals down to win a Women’s Euro knockout tie. Scoring at least twice in 45 minutes against a well drilled team that conceded only once across 270 group stage minutes was the tallest of mountains to climb.

“This England team wasn’t ready for this game,” warned Lionesses legend Fara William during BBC One’s half-time analysis. Alongside her, Ellen White praised Sweden for being “football smart” in the way they were playing to specifically target and capitalise on England’s vulnerabilities.

It was easily Wiegman’s most important half-time interval as England boss. She sent the team back out more than a minute prior to Sweden re-emerging and whatever was said seemed to work.

Playing on the front foot and not allowing Sweden the chance to press, England made a significantly better start to the second half and there were chances, notably as Ella Toone strayed offside as she was sent one-on-one with Jennifer Falk. Sweden were still dangerous, as Blackstenius outpaced Carter again to force a save, but the Lionesses were asking more questions. Just over an hour in, Toone mystified fans by attempting a square pass that wasn’t on instead of shooting.

Wiegman resisted making changes until 70 minutes in. But the introductions of Esme Morgan, who completed 92% of her passes through the remainder of the original 90 and extra-time to significantly improve on Carter’s 77%, Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang proved particularly crucial.

Within in a minute of coming on, Kelly sent an in-swinging cross from the left towards the far post that Lucy Bronze headed in to halve Sweden’s lead. Only 103 seconds later, another similar cross wasn’t dealt with and the ball landed at Agyemang’s feet a few yards from goal to equalise. England even nearly won it in 90 minutes when Agyemang’s square ball to Alessia Russo on a late breakaway resulted in the goal-bound shot being heroically blocked by Smilla Holmberg.

Cruelly, it was Holmberg who missed the decisive penalty in the eventual shootout.

If 90 minutes plus extra-time alone was relentless action, with the additional 30 minutes descending into a battle of the physical, penalties was an exhausting marathon all on its own. “I can’t remember anything like this,” Wiegman reflected afterwards on the chaos of the evening as a whole.

A total of 14 spot-kicks were attempted, but only five were converted successfully. Sweden’s Falk remarkably saved four, but when she stepped up with the chance to win it with one of her own, the ball went high over the bar. Magdalena Eriksson and the aforementioned Holmberg were also guilty of missing the target, but Hannah Hampton saved from Sofia Jakobsson when she could have won it.

The England goalkeeper, who made several important saves during the match, suffered a bloody nose right before the shootout. She didn’t need to prove herself at these Euros, installed as No.1 several months before Mary Earps announced her shock international retirement, but kept her composure to ultimately come out as player of the match for a decisive role.

England have been to the brink of elimination and back at this tournament. They won’t fear anyone and that will be dangerous to Italy in the last four and whoever else they may face thereafter.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Jul

2025

Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and the Turkish arms race

Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray are all making major moves this summer as the transfer market arms race at the top of Turkish football heats up.

By Graham Ruthven

There is a type of player that feels like a natural fit for Turkish football. It can be difficult to define what makes that player perfect for the Turkish game, but you know one when you see one. It feels right, for example, that Emmanuel Adebayor had a spell in the country and somehow wrong that David Luiz never did.

Jhon Durán is the latest big name to join a Turkish club, signing for Fenerbahće just six months after he joined Al-Nassr in a £71m deal from Aston Villa, yet his arrival feels different. There is a transfer market arms race unfolding at the top of Turkish football that could see many more surprising deals completed.

*Last season’s final league table – with Galatasaray claiming a third straight title*

Victor Osimhen could be the most surprising of the lot. The Nigerian spent last season on loan at Galatasaray amid a messy situation at Napoli, but most assumed this was a temporary solution for a striker widely considered one of the best anywhere in the world in his position. At some point, it was believed, one of Europe’s elite would make their move.

Instead, Osimhen is reportedly close to making his stay in Istanbul a permanent one with Galatasaray negotiating with Napoli over a €75m transfer. That would make the 26-year-old the most expensive player in Turkish SüperLig history and would signal the division is a viable destination for the sport’s brightest stars.

*Osimhen topped the Süperlig goalscoring charts last season*

İlkay Gündoğan is another elite level player who could pitch up at Galatasaray this summer. Reports claim The Lions have agreed personal terms with the German midfielder who could leave Manchester City for the right price. Gündoğan might be entering the twilight of his career, but he would still be a statement signing for the Turkish champions.

Then there’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu who missed the Club World Cup for Inter Milan amid interest from Galatasaray. A deal has still to be agreed for the Turkish international, but there is an underlying sense that Çalhanoğlu is destined to join Galatasaray this summer as one of the centrepieces of their ambitious rebuild.

Galatasaray also require a new starting goalkeeper following the departure of Fernando Muslera at the end of last season. José Sá and Yann Sommer have both been linked with a move to the Ali Sami Yen Stadium, suggesting the club intends on adding a shot-stopper who is experienced at the top level of the European game.

Fenerbahçe are pursuing a number of eye-catching deals of their own with Durán already over the line. It’s been reported that Marcus Rashford could be a target with Leandro Trossard also linked. Leon Bailey is another Premier League wide man believed to be on Fener’s radar although Marco Asensio has reportedly rejected a switch to Istanbul.

Archie Brown’s signing said something about the attraction Turkish football now holds in the transfer market. The young English defender was on his way to AC Milan from Gent until a call from Fenerbahçe changed his mind. The Turkish club’s announcement video even featured two planes (one yellow and blue, the other red and black), making a jab at AC Milan.

*Archie Brown’s player traits comparison*

The nature of the rivalry at the top of Turkish football means that wherever Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray do, Beşiktaş have to attempt to match. The Black Eagles broke the Turkish transfer record to land Orkun Kökçü from Benfica with Donyell Malen, Mehdi Taremi, Jadon Sancho and Kyle Walker-Peters just some of the other names reportedly on their radar.

Of course, it’s not just big-name players that Turkish clubs are targeting. José Mourinho is entering his second season as Fenerbahçe manager. The same is true of Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Beşiktaş. Mourinho’s arrival in particular was a seismic moment in the Turkish SüperLig with the Portuguese still as good at grabbing headlines as he ever was.

At a time when the Saudi Pro League is making a case for itself as the best destination for the best players in the world outside Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues, Türkiye’s biggest clubs are demonstrating more ambition than ever before. And with every elite level player signed it becomes easier to attract the next one.

Türkiye is a football nation. The sport is an obsession in the country of 85 million people and so Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray’s transfer dealings might not be a sign of overachievement, but an indication that the Turkish SüperLig is starting to truly fulfil its potential as one of the strongest leagues in Europe.

Alternatively, it could prove to be a flash in the transfer market pan just as it was in the past when the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Franck Ribery and Nicolas Anelka came and went. Osimhen, Durán, Gündoğan and a few others could add their names to a list that may or may not include David Luiz.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Jul

2025

Preview: England take on Sweden in Euros quarterfinal

England are into the quarter-finals at Euro 2025 but now must overcome arguably the most impressive team from the tournament’s group stage.

By Jamie Spencer

How they reached the last eight

Sweden emerged from a tricky Group C with a 100% record. A dominant opener against Denmark finished 1-0 but was characterised by wasteful finishing after underperforming their xG (2.39). Peter Gerhardsson’s side underperformed xG (3.89) a second time against Poland, winning 3-0, but scored twice against the run of play to come from behind and beat Germany 4-1 in a more clinical outing.

England had a bumpier ride, humbled by France in game one, before turning up with a 4-0 thrashing when it mattered against the Netherlands, Beating Wales next was required to keep their destiny in their own hands, and the Lionesses took no chances with a 6-1 score-line.

Head-to-Head

This is a repeat of a one-sided semi-final three summers ago. England cruised to a 4-0 win that day – including Alessia Russo’s iconic backheel, effectively laying down their credentials as champions.

Sweden prevailed, on penalties, when the pair met in the first ever European Championship final back in 1984 – it was played over two legs in those days. The Swedes won, in extra-time, in the 1987 semi-finals, before successive group stage wins over the Lionesses in 2001 (4-0) and 2005 (1-0).

In the Euros alone, it’s two England wins, four for Sweden, and one draw. They faced each other in qualifying for these finals too, with both matches finishing all square (1-1 and 0-0).

Sweden’s conductor

Even at 35 years of age, Kosovare Asllani has been pulling the strings. The former Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid star, who will grace the WSL next season after recently helping London City Lionesses to promotion, has four goals and assists at this tournament from the No. 10 role. Sweden have other threats, but stopping her is England’s obvious objective.

Toone’s key role

Ella Toone didn’t start for England against France, but her addition to the team for the games since has brought a better balance to the midfield, with and without the ball.

“People speak about her offensively, but the defensive work she does for me and Georgia [Stanway] is incredible,” Keira Walsh told reporters after the Lionesses beat Wales. “She covers a lot of spaces that we can’t. That’s probably been the main thing that’s stopped other teams from playing.”

Toone has been through huge personal strife after losing her father, Nick, last year but is rediscovering her best form. “I feel like I’m in a really good place, I’ve missed this Ella Toone,” she told BBC Sport. “I’ve not had it for a while. I feel like I’m really coming into it.”

Team news

Sarina Wiegman was delighted to make it through the group stage without injuries and is expected to pick the same team that beat the Netherlands and Wales. Attacking depth from the bench could be a key factor later in the tie, though.

Winger Fridolina Rolfö started for the first time this tournament in Sweden’s third group game (and scored) after recovering from an ankle injury. Nathalie Björn has had a different centre-back partner for each outing so far, while Julia Zigiotti Olme is vying with Hanna Bennison to start in midfield.

Prediction

Sweden’s tendency for profligacy witnessed in their first two games is not a new trait. It was evident in qualifying, against England, which could bode well for the Lionesses if they can remain defensively resilient. Scoring against the Swedes is the harder task, but Wiegman’s team is purring in that sense now. Sweden 1-2 England (after extra time).

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Jul

2025

Arsenal’s shrewd move for Christian Norgaard

Christian Nørgaard’s arrival at Arsenal flew under the radar, but he could soon become an important figure for Mikel Arteta’s team.

By Graham Ruthven

Amid the speculation around the pursuit of a new number nine and the impatience over the signing of Martin Zubimendi, it was easy to miss Arsenal welcoming Christian Nørgaard to the club. That is understandable. The 31-year-old won’t be the most eye-catching addition the Gunners will make this summer, but he could be the smartest.

For an initial fee of £10m (plus £2m in add-ons), there is plenty to like about Arsenal’s signing of Nørgaard. The Dane was a central figure for a Brentford team that has consistently punched above their weight in the Premier League. Arsenal know what they’re getting from a player who has started 120 games in the last four seasons.

And that’s surely part of what made Nørgaard so attractive to the Gunners. Only two Arsenal players have started more Premier League matches than the Danish midfielder over the same period of time. For a team that has been hit hard by injuries in each of the last two seasons, availability is something they need more of.

Of course, Arsenal could have found countless players who have been simply available in recent seasons, but Nørgaard has plenty more to offer. He is comfortable on the ball, as proven by the fact he was Brentford’s most prolific passer in midfield last season, averaging 36.7 accurate passes per 90 minutes.

While it’s true Nørgaard’s primary role was at the base of Thomas Frank’s midfield, he was also effective at moving the ball forward – only Mikel Damsgaard (27) completed more progressive passes for Brentford last season than Nørgaard (15). As a possession piece, the 31-year-old will slot into Mikel Arteta’s central unit well.

Out of possession is where Nørgaard could truly give Arsenal something different, though. Remarkably, the Dane has made more interceptions (201) and ball recoveries (844) than any other player in the Premier League since the start of the 2021/22 season. Nørgaard reads the game clearly and will offer a strong defensive presence at the Emirates Stadium.

*Nørgaard’s defensive numbers, Premier League 2024/25 (ranking against other EPL players)*

“He has proven leadership skills and a strong character which will be invaluable to our squad,” said Arteta when the signing of Norgaard from Brentford was confirmed. “He is a strong midfielder with excellent tactical awareness and versatility. He also has physical presence and intelligence which will give us added depth and balance.”

Zubimendi will start the 2025/26 season as Arsenal’s first-choice at the base of the midfield. The Spain international has been signed to be the Gunners’ Rodri with the theory being that his security in possession will afford more freedom to the likes of Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice further up the pitch. There’s a good reason Arsenal spent so long chasing Zubimendi.

To win the Premier League title for the first time since the days of Arsene Wenger, though, Arsenal will need options in every area of their squad and Nørgaard can expect to receive a lot of game time over the course of the campaign with the Gunners also competing on a continental front in the Champions League.

Set pieces is another area where Nørgaard can contribute. Arsenal are already one of the most effective teams from corner kicks and freekicks in the Premier League and their new Danish midfielder should make them even more potent with Nørgaard a serious threat in the air – only Ben White (66.7%), Nathan Collins (63%) and William Saliba (62%) won a higher percentage of aerial duels in the Premier League last term.

This summer is a pivotal one for Arsenal. Having finished second in each of the last three Premier League seasons, they need to find areas where they can make gains to close the gap on top spot. This led the Gunners to target a new number nine with Viktor Gyökeres the target they have reportedly settled on. The Swede could join in the coming days.

Noni Madueke is another played believed to be on his way to the Emirates Stadium this summer as Arteta attempts to ease the reliance on Bukayo Saka. A large percentage of Arsenal supporters are unhappy about the targeting of the Chelsea winger, but he could give their team the sort of depth boasted by title rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City.

In Nørgaard, though, Arsenal have signed a player who both reflects what they already are as a team and points them in the direction they want to head in. If the Gunners finish the 2025/26 season with silverware in-hand, it wouldn’t be surprising to lean that the Dane has made a sizeable contribution. His impact could be profound.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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