Italy captain Cristiana Girelli scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Norway on Wednesday, sending the Azzurre into the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s European Championship for the first time in 28 years.
In a thrilling quarter-final that saw Norway’s star striker Ada Hegerberg miss a penalty before equalising, it was the 35-year-old Girelli who had the final say, heading home her second goal of the game to book a last-four clash with either reigning champions England or Sweden.
“It’s a dream that becomes a reality,” a jubilant Girelli said after the match. “I felt something different, something special. I just believe to fight until the end… we suffered a lot but we fought until the end.”
After dominating a goalless first half, Italy took a deserved lead in the 50th minute when Girelli deftly turned in a cross from Sofia Cantore. Just ten minutes later, Norway were handed a golden opportunity to level when Hegerberg was fouled in the penalty area by Elena Linari. However, for the second time in the tournament, the Norwegian captain sent her spot-kick wide of the post.
Hegerberg made amends for the miss just six minutes later, latching onto a long pass and coolly slotting past goalkeeper Laura Giuliani to make it 1-1. With momentum swinging in their favour, Norway pushed for a winner, but it was Girelli who provided the decisive moment, meeting Cantore’s cross at the far post to head home and spark wild Italian celebrations.
The defeat marks another disappointing knockout stage exit for a talented Norwegian side that had won all three of their group games. Despite their perfect record, they struggled to get the best out of star players like Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten, who was deployed in a deeper left-back role.
For Italy, the victory is a historic achievement. They will now play their semi-final in Geneva on Tuesday, July 22, against the winner of Thursday’s quarter-final between England and Sweden.
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