Norway seemed to have the larger strength reserves in the first quarter-final game of the European women. In the end, however, it was the Italians who made the ticket for the semi-finals with a 2-1 (0: 0) win.
Captain Cristiana Girelli marked the winning goal in the 90th minute. She had also shot Italy in the front after 50 minutes, Ada Hegerberg had succeeded in the meantime (66th). Shortly before, Norway’s star striker had shot a penalty (60th).
“I felt that something is different and special. I saw a special light in the eyes of my team”said double scorer Girelli after the game. Your team did not play in the group phase, “How we can actually do it”. It was all the more satisfied with the performance against Norway. “We suffered, but fought until the end. We did something historical for women’s football. I am so happy and proud of this team”according to Girelli.
Norway’s Ada Hegerberg said: “It’s sad, very sad. But I have to honestly say that I am proud of the team and our performance”.
After discussions: star player Hegerberg can start
Oh, what was there for discussions in Norway before the match around Hegerberg. Terms such as “starling” and “shape crisis” had made the round, several experts had demanded without the star player going into the match. But of course: the captain led her team onto the field, stood on the square right from the start.
Interesting: Next to her, Signe Gaupset was allowed to run, the 20-year-old newcomer. After her great game against Iceland (two goals, two templates), she also made it into the starting eleven.
Italy dominates the initial phase
The scepter took over – and that came as a surprise – the Italians. They mainly came across the left side technically more experienced than their opponents. And almost scored the lead in the seventh minute. Caruso literally fueled himself with the ball at the foot past three opponents into the sixteen, but then shoveled the ball just past the box with strong distress.
To run the hair: Italy gave some chances at the beginning.
It was astonishing, because actually the Norwegians had been slightly favored in front of the match. But they were increasingly put under pressure by the considerably passionate and playful Italians. After 19 minutes the second big chance: after Barbara Bonansea’s flank from the left, Girelli and Manuela Giugliano disabled each other. One of the two of them should have made it 1-0.
Italy is pushing, Norway almost takes the lead
They missed – like Emma Severini, who lost their nerves two minutes later alone from the Norwegian box and shot keeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand.
Italy was about to take the lead. And would have been back for a hair at the break. Only Hegerberg narrowly missed the crowd in the first Norwegian attack (38th). Shortly before the half -time whistle, Gauppenet saw that Italy’s goalkeeper Laura Giuliani was far too far in front of her box. She pulled away from the center line, but her lifter stroked just past the goal.
Right: Italy is rewarded with the 1-0
“Could be a long evening,” thought quite a few observers at the break. But the goallessness had no longer existed after the change. Italy had space on the right. Sofia Cantore played flat in the middle, where captain Girelli turned the long leg into 1-0.
Gate for Italy – 1-0 by Girelli.
The deafening jubilation in the almost sold out stadium in Geneva with 26,700 spectators, in which the Italian fans were clearly in the majority, was hardly scared, when the ball was already in the goal of the Norwegians. But this time an offside position prevented the possible 2: 0.
Incredible: Hegerberg fails and meets
Until then, Norway’s captain Hegerberg had not been able to influence the game. In the 60th minute she got the top opportunity after being held in the penalty area. Referee Stephanie Frappart pointed to the penalty point. Hegerberg took over himself and shot – but past the goal on the right. A drama. After putting a penalty past the goal against Switzerland, her nerves failed again.
The nerves lost – Ada Hegerberg
But the 30-year-old has been in business for a long time. And after many setbacks it got up again and again. So also that evening. Six minutes after her missed shot, she took a long ball and cleverly placed the ball past the downcoming keeper Giuliani to 1-1 into the net (66.).
Girelli hits the victory
Norway now had the momentum on his side – and probably more strength. Caroline Graham Hansen prepared a good option (75th), in the 86th minute Ingrid Engen narrowly moved a Schlenzer from 16 meters. The golden gate fell on the other side. Italy had raised a counterattack again and it was again Girelli who put the ball in the goal from six meters – 2-1 (90th).
The rest was cheering: after a determined performance, Italy is again among the last four teams at an European Championship for the first time in 28 years. While Norway’s team has to go home, Italy can prepare for its semi -finals. This will take place on Tuesday (July 22nd, 2025) against the winner from the game of Sweden against England.