Cristiana Girelli’s late heroics sent Italy into the semi-finals of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, as the Azzurre edged Norway 2–1 in a dramatic quarter-final clash. The match turned on a pivotal moment when Hegerberg missed a second-half penalty, her second miss of the tournament, before quickly redeeming herself with the equalizer. But it was Girelli, with a goal in each half, who made the difference, including a 90th-minute winner, to secure Italy’s place as the first team into the semi-finals.
Match Highlights
- Italy opened the scoring early in the second half through Girelli, following an assist from Cantore.
- Hegerberg missed a penalty in the second half — her second missed penalty of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
- Hegerberg redeemed herself in the 65th minute by scoring the equalizer, assisted by Mjelde.
- Girelli scored her second goal in the 90th minute, restoring Italy’s lead with another assist from Cantore.
- Attendance: 26,276
Strong Start from Italy
Italy started on the front foot in their Women’s EURO 2025 quarter-final clash against Norway, showing early intent and energy. Within minutes, Caruso weaved past multiple defenders. Her effort narrowly missed the post, a sign of Italy’s attacking ambition.
Norway, criticised for their lack of urgency in the group stage, entered the knockouts under pressure to raise their performance. But in the early stages, they looked sluggish and lacked cohesion, offering little resistance to Italy’s play.
The Azzurre came close again in the 19th minute. Bonansea delivered a teasing cross into the box, perfectly aimed at Girelli, but confusion struck as Severini went for the same ball. The resulting effort flew wide, squandering what could have been a breakthrough.
Norway Continue Slow Group Stage Display
Norway’s defensive frailties continued to show. A clever through ball from Caruso cut through their backline, finding Severini one-on-one with Cecilie Fiskerstrand, but the Norwegian goalkeeper stood tall and made a crucial save at the near post. The resulting corner led to an Italy handball, halting the threat.
Italy’s dominance continued into the 32nd minute. After Severini kept a loose ball alive, Bonansea was denied by Naalsund, before Di Guglielmo latched onto the rebound and fired wide of the far post, another opportunity gone begging.
Goalless at Half Time
Norway finally sparked into life in the 35th minute with their first real chance of the half. Bjelde latched onto a lofted ball over the top and found Hegerberg in the box. The striker nearly bundled the ball over the line, but Italy’s defence and Giuliani smothered the danger.
In the dying moments of the half, the crowd held its breath as Gaupset spotted Giuliani off her line and tried an audacious long-range effort from near the halfway line. The shot sailed narrowly wide, nearly producing a stunning opener. Despite Italy’s dominance in possession and chances, the sides went into the break deadlocked at 0–0 — a tense, tactical half with everything still to play for.
Second Half: Italy break the Deadlock
Within five minutes of the restart, Italy broke the deadlock. A well-worked move led to Cantore finding space in the box. Her cross was perfectly measured for Girelli, who tapped it past Fiskerstrand despite pressure from two Norwegian defenders.
Italy nearly doubled their lead moments later when Caruso capitalized on a scramble in the Norway box and found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside, flagged just seconds after the ball crossed the line.
Norway were handed a golden opportunity to equalize when Linari brought down Hegerberg in the box, resulting in a penalty. Linari received a yellow card, as did Italy head coach Andrea Soncin for his protests. Hegerberg stepped up, but despite her experience, she fired wide, her second missed penalty of the tournament.
Norway Finally Grow In The Game
Head coach Gemma Grainger made her first substitution just after the hour mark, with Frida Maanum making way for Elisabeth Terland.
Hegerberg made amends in the 65th minute, leveling the match with a well-taken finish. She latched onto a long ball from Mjelde, which initially seemed intended for Graham Hansen, and managed to beat both Linari and Di Guglielmo before firing past Giuliani.
Italy responded with a double substitution, as Bonansea and Severini were replaced by Greggi and Cambiaghi. With less than 15 minutes to play, both sides pushed to avoid extra time.
Italy are the first Semi Finalist
Norway enjoyed a strong spell late on, with Ingrid Engen curling an effort narrowly wide. Grainger made another change with three minutes of normal time remaining, replacing Bjelde with Woldvik.
Despite Norway’s momentum, it was Italy who struck late. In the 90th minute, Girelli rose highest at the far post to head in her second goal of the match, once again from a pinpoint Cantore cross — sealing a dramatic late win for the Azzurre.
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