England Optimistic Over Leah Williamson’s Fitness Ahead of Euro 2025 Semi-Final
Williamson injury update boosts England ahead of Italy showdown
As England prepare for their high-stakes UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 semi-final clash with Italy, there is renewed hope within the Lionesses camp that captain Leah Williamson will be fit to lead the side in Geneva on Tuesday night. The Arsenal defender suffered a worrying ankle injury during England’s dramatic quarter-final victory over Sweden, but early signs suggest the setback may not be as serious as initially feared.
Williamson was substituted in extra time after rolling her ankle and was later seen leaving the stadium in a protective boot and using crutches. While that image sparked concern among supporters, the England medical staff and coaching team have since played down the alarm, describing the protective measures as “precautionary”.
With just a few days to go before England’s seventh-ever European Championship semi-final, optimism is quietly building.
“Very optimistic”: Morgan offers positive news on Williamson
Esme Morgan, who came off the bench during the Sweden game and is one of the prime candidates to replace Williamson if needed, struck a reassuring tone when asked about her teammate’s condition.
“She seemed in very high spirits this morning,” Morgan said during England’s training camp. “I want what’s best for the team, and that’s absolutely having our captain on the pitch.”
Morgan was full of praise for Williamson’s leadership and presence within the squad, but made it clear that she and the rest of the team would be ready to step up if needed.
“It’s the same as every single game – be prepared to play if I’m needed, know the role, just be absolutely ready and train at a high level over the next few days. But we’re very optimistic that Leah will be fine.”
The Manchester City defender made her tournament debut in the quarter-final against Sweden, entering the match in the 70th minute to help mount a spirited comeback from 2-0 down. Her contribution was crucial as the Lionesses levelled the game, took it to penalties, and eventually progressed to the final four.
A proud moment for Morgan and her family
The occasion was made all the more special for Morgan by her family’s emotional reaction. “It was really, really special,” she said. “Apparently my mum was sobbing when I came on, bless her. It doesn’t take much to set her off watching the football.”
“I think she was crying again when we won, so a lot of tears were shed. It was just really nice to get that opportunity. I have been working hard throughout the tournament to stay prepared if I was called on. I felt really ready when that happened to be able to make an impact.”
Morgan’s performance didn’t go unnoticed, and it has further cemented her as one of the most dependable squad players under Sarina Wiegman – a manager who continues to trust her bench to deliver in crunch moments.
England chasing history under Wiegman
The Lionesses’ remarkable resilience in the tournament so far has been a reflection of their manager’s influence. Sarina Wiegman, who is chasing her third consecutive major tournament final after leading the Netherlands to the 2017 European title and England to glory in 2022, has instilled a deep belief and tactical versatility in her side.
England’s win over Sweden marked the third time in this tournament they’ve had to dig deep to survive a must-win encounter. While performances haven’t always been perfect, the team’s grit and mental fortitude have kept them moving forward.
Morgan was keen to highlight how much this means for the squad and the fans watching from home. “We’ve had three must-win games that we’ve come through now. It’s exciting for the fans back home to get through to these stages of the tournament,” she said.
“When you speak to Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood about it, because they’ve been part of many tournaments, it’s amazing hearing about the journey and the things that have changed.”
A battle-tested England face unbeaten Italy
Next up is a formidable Italy side that topped their group and cruised past Norway in the quarter-finals. Known for their strong defensive organisation and quick counterattacks, the Italians will pose a different kind of challenge – one that will require England’s backline to be fully switched on.
That’s where Williamson’s presence could be vital. Beyond her defensive abilities, the 27-year-old provides leadership, calmness on the ball, and the ability to read the game under pressure – qualities that were instrumental in England’s previous title run.
Should she not recover in time, Wiegman will likely turn to Morgan or Greenwood to step in and marshal the defence alongside Millie Bright. Whoever gets the nod, the message is clear: England must be ready for anything.
Experience, belief and depth key to England’s Euro 2025 campaign
The strength of England’s current squad lies not just in its starting XI but in the quality of its bench. Morgan, Jess Carter, Chloe Kelly and others have all made vital contributions at different points in the tournament. That strength in depth has helped Wiegman rotate when needed and adapt to adversity – like Williamson’s injury scare – without losing momentum.
And there’s something else at play here too – experience. With several players like Bronze, Greenwood, Bright and Stanway having been part of multiple tournament runs, England now carry themselves like a team that expects to win.
Morgan acknowledged that pedigree: “It’s a big source of pride that England have got to the latter stages of this tournament. We’ve learned how to win ugly, how to handle pressure, and how to find a way. And I think that makes us really dangerous going forward.”
All eyes on Tuesday: Will Williamson be fit?
The big question remains: will Leah Williamson be ready to lead her side out against Italy?
All indications point to a race against time, but the early signs are promising. She’s in good spirits, being monitored closely by the medical staff, and the decision will likely come down to the final day.
If she makes it, it will be a massive boost for England. If not, the squad seems more than ready to rally in her absence.
What’s clear either way is that this England team, fuelled by belief, unity, and tournament know-how, will not go quietly. Whether it’s with their captain on the pitch or cheering from the sidelines, the Lionesses are ready for another epic chapter in their European journey.
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