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Chloe Kelly's match-winning rebounded penalty for England against Italy would have been outlawed under proposed new rules. The Lionesses' super sub was the heroine on Tuesday night, as she scored a 119th-minute winner to send the reigning champions into the Euro 2025 final with a dramatic 2-1 victory. Sarina Wiegman's side looked to be heading for another penalty shootout with the score locked at 1-1 in extra time. But England were then given a chance to win the game when they were awarded a penalty on 119 minutes after Beth Mead was bundled over by Emma Severini inside the box. Kelly stepped up to take the spot kick, but saw her effort palmed away by Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani, before burying the rebound. The goal sparked wild celebrations, as the Lionesses went on to book their spot in a third consecutive major championship final, where they will face either Spain or Germany. However, if Kelly were to net the same goal for England on the same stage at Euro 2027, there is a chance it would be ruled out. This is because rebounded penalties could be scrapped entirely under a new set of rules proposed by football's lawmakers. According to a report from The Sun, the potential rule change could come into force ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. The proposal would see any missed penalty immediately result in a goal-kick, with the taker or others unable to follow the shot up. Behind this idea is the belief that a rebound gives the attacking team a second chance to score. It's said that senior figures within the game see this as an 'unfair advantage' for the attacking side, with the punishment for a foul in the box already considered to give a 'far greater' chance of scoring than the original phase of play. Any decision would have to be approved by the International Football Association Board [IFAB] who have the final say over the laws of the game. But there is thought to be growing support for this idea, which would effectively see penalties in a match became the same as an attempt in a shoot-out, where one shot is all that counts. Officials also believe it would eliminate disputes over encroachment, which have often led to retakes and lengthy VAR reviews. Football's decision-makers will have to move quickly if they are to implement the law change, with any new rules needing to be finalised by the end of February to be in force for the World Cup. One person who is not a fan of the possible radical change is Alan Brazil, who voiced his disapproval on talk SPORT Breakfast recently. He said: "The change in the penalty rule, the goalkeeper saves it and you can't knock the rebound in, what a. .. Who has made that up? Baloney! " "Someone's getting paid for this, by the way, a lot of money, these changes to the rules. What a load of tosh! " he added. Further changes are also being discussed, including 'expanding the scope' of VAR interventions, which would increase the review system's powers to second yellow cards and corners. In the meantime however, current rules mean that the Lionesses were able to enjoy another memorable night courtesy of Kelly. England looked to be heading home, after falling behind after Barbara Bonansea's 33rd-minute strike nearly sent the holders packing, as they struggled to break down a stubborn Italy. But just like in the quarter-finals against Sweden, Wiegman's substitutes saved the day. First Michelle Agyemang, who made it 2-2 against Sweden, equalised in the sixth minute of injury time to send the tie to extra-time. Then it was up to Euro 2022 match-winner Kelly to decide things again, as her late strike sent England fans crazy, and her team into another final. © 2025 talk SPORT Limited

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