The Lady Azzurri of Italy became the first to progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s European Championship after Cristiana Girelli’s 90th-minute header sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Norway in Geneva.
With both sides competing in the last eight of the tournament for the first time since 2013, it was Italy who stamped their authority on proceedings early on, as Arianna Caruso scuffed a promising chance narrowly wide of the far post.
Le Azzurre continued to look the more threatening of the two teams as the first half progressed, but Barbara Bonansea’s inviting delivery was wasted by Emma Severini and Girelli, who collided when challenging for the same close-range header.
Severini and Manuela Giugliano saw further opportunities go begging for Andrea Soncin’s side with half-time approaching, while at the other end, Norway created their first opening when Lisa Naalsund’s dangerous low cross was deflected off target.
Gemma Grainger’s women could’ve taken the lead against the run of play on the stroke of the interval, but Signe Gaupset, having spotted Laura Giuliani off her line, fired an audacious 50-yard strike narrowly wide of the open goal.
Determined to make up for their first-half profligacy, Italy needed just five minutes after the restart to deservedly break the deadlock.
Sofia Cantore cut in from the right wing, and her low effort was touched home by captain Girelli for the striker’s 60th international goal.
Le Azzurre thought they’d doubled their lead just four minutes later, only for Severini’s scrambled finish to be ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
26
previous post