Women's Euro 2025 score predictions: Rachel Brown-Finnis forecasts semi-final scores

They deserved to beat Norway in the quarter-finals and their one defeat so far came against Spain in their final group game, after they went toe to toe with them at first.

They took their foot off the gas against the world champions in the second half but I think that was only because of the circumstances in the Portugal-Belgium game and Italy knowing they were still going through as long as they did not lose too heavily.

I don't expect them to hold back at all here. They will probably come absolutely flying out of the blocks after seeing how Sweden's fast start opened up Sarina Wiegman's side. I do think England will be better defensively than they were against Sweden, but they will have to be.

Wiegman will have a different gameplan for this tie anyhow, in terms of how she sets her side up, but what she really needs is a performance for 90 minutes at the level we know England can produce rather than them just getting going in the second half, the way they did against Sweden.

So, how they start this game is hugely important. England have to play no-risk football in the opening few minutes so they can feel their way into the game and get through the first 10 or 15 minutes unscathed.

They can't leave the door open the way they did early on against Sweden or give Italy's attack any encouragement whatsoever. By that, I mean they must avoid playing themselves into trouble if they are under pressure when they play out from the back.

This is Italy's first semi-final at a major finals since 1997 but they will feel they belong on this stage as much as England do and they certainly won't care that they are facing the holders. Going ahead would only boost their confidence further and I want to see England start on the front foot this time.

Ultimately, Italy would probably be happy if this goes into extra-time, knowing England have more minutes in their legs, but I don't think this tie will get that far.

It is going to be a very tough 90 minutes for all Lionesses fans as well as the players on the pitch but I am backing England to get the job done in normal time.

Brown-Finnis' prediction: 2-1

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