Norway 1-2 Italy, the Azzurre achieve the feat: they're in the semi-finals of the European Championship.

Geneva (Switzerland), July 16, 2025 - Italy has accomplished a feat and, 28 years later, has advanced to the semifinals of the European Women's Football Championship . Cristiana Girelli 's brace overcame Norway 's resistance, defeating them 2-1 right at the last minute. The Azzurre's No. 10 striker, who had opened the scoring in the 50th minute, repeated the feat in the 89th minute with the decisive goal that secured their advancement. In between, the Scandinavians responded, guilty of having missed a penalty through Hegerberg in the 60th minute, but who, thanks to the same No. 14, regained the lead in the 66th minute. This victory allows the Italian national team to book their place in the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Sweden or England match, which takes place tomorrow.

The starting lineups

Emma Grainger chose a 4-2-3-1 formation for her Norway team , deploying Fiskerstrand in goal, protected by a defensive line of Reiten and Bjelde on the flanks and Mjelde and Hansen in the middle. Naalsund and Engen formed the defensive midfield, while Gaupset, Maanum, and Graham Hansen operated behind lone striker Hegerberg. Andrea Soncin favored a 4-3-3 formation for Italy . Giuliani defended the goal, supported by Oliviero, Salvai, Linari, and Di Guglielmo. Caruso commanded the midfield alongside Giugliano and Severini. The attacking trident consisted of Bonansea, Girelli, and Cantore.

The match report

First half

Italy began with determination and good offensive bursts, immediately troubling the Norwegian defense. In the 7th minute, Caruso broke through centrally thanks to a high ball recovery by the Azzurre, but after a challenge in the penalty area, she failed to find the target and the ball went just wide. Grainger 's women showed little tactical cohesion in this early phase and, more often than not, left too much space for Italian maneuvers on the flanks. Bonansea found space on the left in the 19th minute, curling a precise cross to the near post where Severini and Girelli interfered, thus missing a good opportunity to inflict damage. A couple of minutes later, Severini herself was passed first-time through by Caruso, who set her up for a shot from a slightly tight angle; Fiskerstrand was alert and dived to clear the ball for a corner. The pressing of Soncin 's girls created several difficulties for the Scandinavians, who also lost a bad ball in the attacking midfield in the 31st minute. On this transition, Bonansea managed to move inside, but was stopped, and the rebound favored Di Guglielmo, who blocked the right-footed shot too much. Norway's first, huge chance came in the 36th minute: a lapse on the right flank allowed Bjelde to race down the byline and deliver a low cross, which Hegerberg failed to punish for the Italians' inattention. The final thrill of the first half came from Gaupset , who narrowly missed scoring a stunning goal from his own half, with Giuliani caught wide of his own post.

Second half

Italy deservedly took the lead early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Cantore was passed on the right, crossed toward the far post, and found Girelli, who, a predatory box player, got in and scored to make it 1-0. Norway was now stunned, and the Azzurre pushed forward in search of a second. First Girelli tried again, this time with a header and without much precision, then a confused move led to Cantore's goal, which was ruled out for an initial offside by Caruso . The Scandinavians earned a penalty in the 57th minute, following a foul by Linari on Hegerberg , who was held in the heart of the Italian penalty area. Hegerberg herself stepped up to the penalty spot and opened her right-footed shot too wide to Giuliani 's left. The Norwegian number 14 made amends a few minutes later, scoring the equalizer. In the 66th minute, Mjelde's long pass from defense found Hegerberg , who surprised Soncin's defense and beat Giuliani , who was hesitant to break out. At this stage, Italy seemed to be on the back foot, struggling for possession and under constant pressure from their opponents. A personal feat could have broken the deadlock, and Engen came close in the 86th minute with a curling shot from the edge of the area that went wide. Just when the match seemed headed to extra time, Cristiana Girelli scored a brace that sealed the next round in the 89th minute. Cantore sent in a fantastic cross to the far post, where the Italian number 10 headed perfectly, catching the goalkeeper off guard.

The match scoresheet

Italy (4-3-3): Giuliani; Di Guglielmo, Salvai, Linari, Oliviero; Caruso, Giugliano, Severini (77' Greggi); Bonansea (77' Cambiaghi), Girelli (90' Piemonte), Cantore. Norway (4-2-3-1): Fiskerstrand; Bjelde (87' Woldvik), Mjelde, T. Hansen, Reiten; Naalsund, Engen; G. Hansen, Maanum (64' Terland), Gaupset; Hegerberg. Goalscorers: 50' Girelli (Ita), 66' Hegerberg (Nor), 89' Girelli (Ita) Match referee: Stephanie Frappart. Yellow cards: Naalsund (Nor), Linari (Ita) Red cards: -

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