Cristiana Girelli’s brace saw Italy beat Norway 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
Girelli headed in a 90th-minute winner from Sofia Cantore’s cross after the pair had combined for the opening goal, which saw Girelli poke in from Cantore’s 50th-minute low cross.
Ada Hegerberg equalised for Norway in the 65th minute from Maren Mjelde’s overhead long ball.
Italy now await the winner of Sweden’s Quarter-Final tie against England at Stade de Geneve, Geneva, on Tuesday 22 July at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time).
With both teams having drawn their two meetings in the Qualifying Phase for this tournament, it was little surprise how tame the start was as Norway and Italy tried to work each other out early doors.
Italy however was the first to produce a shot as Arianna Caruso picked up Manuela Giugliano’s pass and cut into the box, yet she dragged her shot wide of the bottom right corner.
Norway struggled to create many clear-cut chances and almost fell behind in the 19th minute from Barbara Bonansea’s cross, yet Girelli and Emma Severini collided as they attempted to head the ball goalward which sent the attempt wide.
Severini and Lucia Di Guglielmo saw further chances denied as Italy continued to pile on the pressure, whilst Norway were lucky not to concede a penalty after Guro Reiten accidentally elbowed the ball as she tried to foul Girelli in the 29th minute.
Norway eventually managed to create a first clear-cut chance in the 36th minute from a sprint up the right by Lisa Naalsund, who found Hegerberg but the forward unfortunately couldn’t get a clear touch as the ball ricocheted wide off her right calf.
Caruso however nearly fired Italy in front from an intercepted headed clearance in the 43rd minute, yet her shot was calmly collected by Cecille Fiskerstrand.
Italy’s goalkeeper, Laura Giuliani almost got caught out of position on the cusp of half time as Signe Gaupset unleashed a long-range shot from the right wing around 40 yards out, which luckily flew wide much to Giuliani’s relief as a goalless first half reached its close.
Norway couldn’t build on that chance early in the second half against a resiliently organised Italian side who took the lead in the 50th minute with neat left to right play, which saw Cantore play a low cross across the box for Girelli to poke into the far left corner to put Italy ahead.
Italy nearly doubled their lead just three minutes later following a chaotic session of pinball inside the box which fell for Severini to fire in, but Caruso had been offside during the play and the goal was disallowed.
That wasted chance almost came to haunt Italy on the hour mark after Elena Linari tugged Hegerberg to ground from a 58th-minute corner, but the Norwegian smashed her penalty wide of the right corner much to Italy’s relief.
Hegerberg however atoned for her blunder just six minutes later as she pounced upon space on the left side of Italy’s defence, which left the 30-year-old free to flick Mjelde’s overhead long ball in under Giuliani’s feet to restore parity for Norway with their first shot on target.
That equaliser sucked life out of Italy as the two-time runners-up dropped deeper against a resurgent Norwegian attack, but stuck in defensively to block Caroline Graham Hansen’s shot from a cleared 76th-minute corner.
Caruso then volleyed wide on her right foot as Italy tried to retake the lead from a corner of their own just seven minutes later in a scrappy finish.
Ingrid Syrstad Engen missed a chance to win Norway the tie with a 86th-minute curled shot which bent wide of the right corner.
That wasted chance ultimately cost Norway as Girelli popped up in the 90th minute with a match-clinching header from Cantore’s cross to secure a first semi-final appearance in a major tournament since 1997.
Teams
Norway: Cecille Fiskerstrand, Thea Bjelde (Woldvik 87′), Maren Mjelde, Ingrid Syrstad Engen, Tuva Hansen, Lisa Naalsund, Signe Gaupset, Frida Maanum (Terland 64′), Caroline Graham Hansen, Guro Reiten, Ada Hegerberg
Substitutes: Emilie Woldvik, Celine Bizet, Vilde Boe Risa, Mathilde Harviken, Synne Jensen, Justine Kielland, Selma Panengstuen, Karina Sævik, Elisabeth Terland, Aurora Mikalsen, Marthine Østenstad
Italy: Laura Giuliani, Lucia Di Guglielmo, Cecilia Salvai, Elena Linari, Elisabetta Oliviero, Arianna Caruso, Manuela Giugliano, Emma Severini (Greggi 77′), Barbara Bonansea (Cambiaghi 77′), Cristiana Girelli (Piemonte 92′), Sofia Cantore (Lenzini 92′)
Substitutes: Rachele Baldi, Valentina Bergamaschi, Lisa Boattin, Michela Cambiaghi, Francesca Durante, Eleonora Goldoni, Giada Greggi, Martina Lenzini, Martina Piemonte, Julie Piga, Eva Schatzer, Annamaria Serturini
Referee – Stephanie Frappart (France)
Attendance – 26. 276
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