Italy 1 Portugal 1
July 7 – Italy edged closer to the Women’s Euro quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw with Portugal at the Stade de Genève, in a match defined by moments of individual brilliance and late drama.
Christiana Girelli opened the scoring with a stunning long-range strike in the 69th minute, seemingly putting Italy on course for back-to-back wins. But Diana Gomes struck late for Portugal, capitalising on a loose ball to keep her side’s slim hopes alive. The result leaves Italy well-positioned to advance, needing only to avoid a heavy defeat to Spain in their final Group B game to secure a place in the knockout stage.
The Azzurre came into the game on the back of a narrow but determined 1-0 win over Belgium in Sion, a result that gives them a crucial early edge in the group. A victory, combined with Belgium’s loss to Spain, would have seen the Azzurre qualify for the quarter-finals with a game to spare.
Portugal, by contrast, were playing to stay in the tournament. Their opener ended in a humbling 5-0 defeat to a ruthless Spanish side in Bern, with the match effectively decided within the first half hour. Another loss tonight would have eliminated Francisco Neto’s side from contention – a fate that Diana Gomes’ late goal has replaced with a very slender lifeline.
Off the back of his side’s loss to Spain last week, Francisco Neto made five changes to his lineup – the key switch being Francesca Nazareth starting in midfield, now fully fit.
Over half an hour of deadlock was broken in the 35th minute through a looping header courtesy of Italy veteran Christiana Girelli, which was spilled by Portugal goalkeeper Patricia Morias into the path of Emma Severini – though VAR sliced through the celebrations as it was ruled out for an offside in the buildup.
Chances kept coming for Italy as the half drew to a close. The pick of the bunch was a close range effort from Girelli smartly thwarted by Morais – another step in a developing battle between striker and goalkeeper.
And a battle which Girelli won. The 35-year-old scored a wonderful strike from long range in the 69th minute, using every ounce of experience to place perhaps the most impressive individual effort of the tournament so far – a whipped effort nestling into the top right corner.
Refusing to roll over, it took just ten minutes for Portugal to bite back through Diana Silva’s close range rebound, which trickled painfully past Laura Giuliani in the Italian net.
The goal prompted a heartfelt tribute to Silva’s compatriot Diogo Jota, though was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
With his team still a goal down, Neto bizarrely subbed star woman Nazareth with ten minutes to play – you didn’t need a telescope to see the look of confusion on her face.
But the gamble paid off. A late goal arrived from an unlikely source, as Portugal defender Diana Gomes cushioned an awkward, looping finish to stump Giuliani.
Ahead of the match, Italy coach Andrea Soncin mentioned his side’s “great desire to achieve a positive result.”
Ironically, it was the Navigators’ desire, their refusal to give in, which broke through Italy’s game tempo-slowing plan, and the Stade de Geneve erupted with thunderous applause for the second time this evening, though this one counted.
The goal gives Portugal a lifeline heading into their final group stage fixture versus Belgium – a must-win if they are to have a shot of qualification. One notable omission from that line-up will be Portugal’s Ana Borges, who received a second yellow card with seconds to go until the final whistle.
In the end, Girelli’s moment of brilliance was enough to earn just a singular point in another stern test for her side, though the draw edges her team closer to a place in the quarter finals alongside Spain, who thrashed Belgium earlier in the evening.
Italy will meet the ruthless Spaniards later this week – all they have to do is avoid a cricket scoreline and they should see the quarter finals.
| Grp B | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 6 |
| Italy | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Portugal | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Belgium | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1751957724labto1751957724ofdlr1751957724owedi1751957724sni@g1751957724niwe.1751957724yrrah1751957724