NEW DELHI: Cristiana Girelli shot Italy into the semifinals of Women’s Euro 2025 on Wednesday with a brace, including a last-gasp winner, in the Azzurre’s historic 2-1 triumph over Norway.
Italy will play either defending champion England or Sweden in the last four next Tuesday after Girelli headed home the decisive goal in the final minute in Geneva from Sofia Cantore’s cross.
The Italians hadn’t reached the last four of the Euros since losing the final to Germany in 1997, and will be a tough nut to crack after seeing off Norway, which has two of the women’s game’s biggest stars in Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen.
“Cantore gave me an incredible ball for the second goal. She looked up, saw where I was and just put it on my head, so it was easy for me to put it in the goal,” said Girelli.
“I didn’t realise how close we were to the end of the match... I still can’t believe it, to tell you the truth, I can’t believe it, it’s just magnificent.”
Hegerberg, who also missed a penalty, netted for the Norwegians in the 66th minute after Girelli opened the scoring five minutes after half-time.
Juventus forward Girelli has now scored 61 times for her country, with Wednesday’s double probably the most important goals of her career.
She is also the oldest woman to score more than once in a women’s Euros at the age of 35 years and 84 days.
The Norwegians were pioneers of modern women’s football and the first country to win the World Cup, European Championship and Olympics, but have fallen behind since triumphing at the Sydney Games.
Now managed by Gemma Grainger, Norway haven’t reached the semifinals of a major tournament since losing the final of the 2013 Euros.
Italy was the better side for large chunks of the match, but continued to squander chances just as it did while qualifying from Group B behind Spain. Agencies
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