Geneva, Jul 17 (AP) On a night filled with goals and drama courtesy of two veteran star strikers, it was Cristiana Girelli who had the last laugh, propelling Italy into the semifinals of the Women's European Championship at the expense of Norway's Ada Hegerberg.
Girelli netted a stunning 90th-minute header, marking her second goal of the night, to secure a 2-1 triumph over Norway. Earlier, Norway’s captain, Hegerberg, had managed to equalize after failing to convert a penalty.
Italy is set to return to Geneva next Tuesday to play either Sweden or England, marking its first Women's Euros semifinal since 1997.
“It’s something magical. I felt something special since we arrived in Switzerland,” said the 35-year-old Girelli. She initially put Italy ahead in the 50th minute, skillfully redirecting a cross from Sofia Cantore into the Norwegian net.
With the clock edging closer to extra time, Girelli connected with a perfectly weighted cross from Cantore with a graceful leap at the far post, her header nestling just beneath the crossbar.
“The joy is huge. My heart is full of pride,” expressed Italy coach Andrea Soncin, who joined his jubilant players and staff for a post-game photo op in front of a roaring crowd that enjoyed close-up views of Girelli’s decisive strikes.
Hegerberg drew Norway level in the 66th minute with her first real opportunity, arriving just minutes after her penalty miss – her second missed spot-kick of Euro 2025.
Hegerberg latched onto a long ball, poking it past the advancing Italian goalkeeper Laura Giuliani, with the ball just managing to cross the line ahead of racing Italian defenders.
“She gets the goal after the penalty miss, that tells a lot about her,” stated Norway coach Gemma Grainger. “It's heartbreaking to concede so late; it sours the feeling of the game.”
Girelli’s Geneva Girelli now boasts 61 goals for Italy, with her last three all finding the back of the net at the Stade de Genève's mountain end.
Among her notable strikes this tournament was a stunning 22-meter curl against Portugal, which seemed decisive during the group stage until an 89th-minute equalizer from the opposition.
“We felt right at home here,” Girelli shared about the Swiss city, which is home to a sizable Italian community and the venue for Italy’s upcoming third match. “Maybe I should ask Juventus to play in this stadium,” she joked.
Hegerberg on the Spot Norway's star has taken two penalties in Euro 2025, missing both, as her shots veered wide of each post. Despite this, she has continued to find the net in other ways, amassing 51 career goals for Norway.
Hegerberg earned her spot-kick against Italy through a grappling encounter with Italy's captain, Elena Linari, fighting for a high cross. Replays hinted that Hegerberg might have been offside.
Her penalty effort, delivered after a brief run-up, went wide of the left post as Giuliani successfully guessed the direction of the dive.
The former Ballon d'Or winner missed another penalty against Switzerland, veering her shot to the right of Livia Peng's dive in an initial win of 2-1.
Italy’s Fast Start Italy began with strategic precision in the first half, as Arianna Caruso and Emma Severini broke through the Norwegian midfield, both taking shots at Norway’s goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand.
Perhaps Italy’s confidence led to vulnerability against fast breaks.
In the 36th minute, Hegerberg squandered a solo opportunity, with the ball arriving awkwardly at her due to Linari’s deflection.
After halftime, Norway was more potent, deploying four attackers in an attempt to equalize and then score a decisive second goal.
“Our second-half performance was our best in the tournament,” noted Grainger. “They just had one quality moment at the end.”
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