England's Fortunate Triumph and the Uncertain Future of Their Football

The Euro 2025 semi-final was in its fourth minute of injury time. England, with the exception of Chloe Kelly, had almost all of their players positioned near Italy's goal. Despite a lackluster performance throughout the match, England was known for their dramatic finishes. The crowd's anticipation grew, culminating in a roar. Kelly's corner kick went directly into the side netting, and England's hopes were dashed.

The match was marked by the usual complaints about Italian tactics, including time-wasting through goal kicks, injury breaks, and sudden cramps. However, the true time-wasters were England, who, on a chaotic night, squandered the evening.

Sarina Wiegman spent a significant portion of the game experimenting with an approach that was ineffective. Substitutions were handled cautiously. Kelly, a key player, spent much of the night running along the touchline. Michelle Agyemang, a former ball girl, remained on the sidelines, waiting for a brief opportunity to play.

At the start of the second half, England's players huddled, seemingly to familiarize themselves with each other's positions. Unlike the previous match against Sweden, which had a clear sense of purpose, England's performance was aimless, lacking any distinct style or strategy.

Despite the struggles, England won the match. Agyemang's late goal, Kelly's penalty rebound, and the celebratory atmosphere provided memorable moments. However, the victory felt more like a result of luck than skill. England, against a weaker Italian team, offered little beyond a sense of panic.

The victory didn't feel like the outcome of a well-thought-out plan. Italy defended well, and but for a few errors, would have secured a historic win. Even the winning goal was due to chance.

how should England play, and how can fans connect with the team beyond superficial aspects?

Regardless of the final outcome, this generation of England players has reached its peak. The future lies with younger players. Perhaps Wiegman's loyalty to the 2022 squad and her persistence with outdated strategies are becoming a limitation.

After the final whistle, England's players celebrated with their supporters. Even in this moment, there was a lack of coordination.

There is still one more game to play. One more chance to impress. England has been fortunate twice. They won't be allowed to be so lucky again.