Girelli magic seals memorable night for Italy
Italy booked their spot in the WEURO2025 semi-final thanks to a 2-1 victory. Cristiana Girelli's 90th minute winner, her second of the evening, sent Norway packing.
As the final whistle blew, the tears fell. Cristiana Girelli, Italy’s heroine of the hour, did not even have time to sit down before she was running onto the pitch with her head in her hands. She was tracked all the way by Barbara Bonansea before they met in a joyous embrace. For both, this was a moment to celebrate - two centurions whose careers for club and country have run in parallel; two players who after 12 years of ups and downs can now say they've helped their nation to their first European Championship semi-final since 1997.
It had been an encounter where sheer grit and determination pulled them through at times. It was always going to be a tight affair between Le Azzurre and Norway, two sides who are both chaotic in their own way.
Andrea Soncin's side have plenty of quality going forward but they are wasteful in front of goal and lack physicality. The Italy manager made three changes from the loss to Spain with captain Girelli returning to lead the line.
Norway, meanwhile, remain an enigma. As previously written, they are a collection of star players that are never quite a sum of their parts. The suspension of Marit Bratberg-Lund saw Gemma Grainger settle on Guro Reiten as her starting left-back. It was the kind of decision that sums Norway up to a tee. There were four other changes as Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen, Ingrid Engen and Thea Bjelde returned. Signe Gaupset, the exciting 20-year-old, and Lisa Naalsund retained their spots, with Vilde Bøe Risa dropping to the bench.
As they had done against Spain, Italy started the faster, exploiting the space afforded to them. Arianna Caruso was having early joy at the heart of midfield, showing off her passing range as she sprayed the ball out to either flank with ease. She herself had the first real opportunity after Naalsund was caught in possession but she could only poke her effort wide.
Norway were under pressure and only had slight relief when Graham Hansen took off down the right, beating four Italian players. There was no end product, however, and Italy remained in control.
Soncin's side should have scored when Bonansea laid it on a plate for Girelli only for Emma Severini to jump for the same ball and connect with Girelli in the process, forcing the header wide. Severini then had a gilt-edged opportunity to square the ball but opted to shoot from a tight angle, allowing Cecilie Fiskerstrand to save.
Hail Mary defending was a prominent theme and Norway almost took advantage of Italy's disarray. It was a promising move when Bjelde broke onto a cutting through pass. She sent in a low ball that hit an Italian foot and ricocheted off another defender before hitting Hegerberg and rolling wide. Gaupset also went for an audacious 40-yard lob after spotting Laura Giuliani off her line but it dipped away. Norway finished the half having failed to register a shot on target.
While Grainger's side improved after the break, it was Italy who drew first blood. When Norway failed to hold onto a turnover, Italy broke through them at pace. Sofia Cantore raced down the right before sending in a pinpoint low cross for Girelli to turn home.
Soncin's side should have had a second but the Norwegian defence rode their luck with a big save, two blocked efforts and an offside flag on Caruso’s eventual finish. It was a lifeline for Norway as was the penalty that was awarded to them for Elena Linari's foul on Hegerberg soon after. She picked herself up to take the resulting spot kick but sent a wayward effort well wide.
The captain made up for it just six minutes later when Norway clawed their way back into the game. Maren Mjelde went direct, launching a long ball over the top of Italy. With Giuliani hesitant, Hegerberg pounced to level. Their best spell of the match followed but they could not find a winner.
Le Azzurre were visibly fatiguing and looking frazzled but they rallied and found the winner in the 90th minute. Girelli's header saw jubilant scenes erupt amongst a partisan crowd. The Italian party was going to last long into the night as they set up a semi-final encounter against the winner of Sweden and England. For Norway, the inquest will soon begin as it has done so many times before.
Stand Out Moment
When you have a goalscorer of Girelli’s quality on the pitch, anything can happen. With extra-time looking inevitable and their energy levels dipping, Italy drove forward as they made one final push to win it. Cantore and Girelli had linked up for Le Azzure’s opener and it was the same combination who masterminded the winner. They have an instinctive relationship born from their years at Juventus together and it paid of. As the clock hit 90 minutes, Cantore, now positioned on the left, was afforded the space to swing in a cross. It was perfectly weighted met by the equally well-timed run of Girelli who had lost Reiten to head home unmarked. The celebrations said it all.
Stand Out Performance
Italy’s long-serving talisman and leader took the game by the scruff of the neck in the only way she knows how. The 35-year-old led from the front with all the passion and fire that one has come to expect over her storied career. A constant threat in the area, she could have had more on the night , troubling the Norwegian back-line with her intelligent movement in the box. The way she lost Reiten for both of her finished is an example of this. With two more goals to her name, she became the oldest player to score more than once in a European Championship.
Quote of the Day
“It’s something magical. I felt something special since we came to Switzerland. Reaching the semi-final and being amongst the first four teams in Europe is a demonstration of how much the team believed since the beginning.”
Italy captain Cristiana Girelli on reaching the semi-finals
Teams
NORWAY
Cecilie Fiskerstrand; Thea Bjelde, Maren Mjelde, Tuva Hansen, Guro Reiten; Lisa Naalsund, Ingrid Engen; Frida Maanum; Caroline Graham Hansen, Ada Hegerberg ©, Signe Gaupset
Subs: Selma Panengstuen; Aurora Mikalsen; Emilie Woldwik; Martine Østenstad; Vilde Bøe Risa; Karina Sævik; Justine Kielland; Mathilde Harviken; Celin Bizet Ildhusøy; Elisabeth Terland; Synne Jensen
Manager: Gemma Grainger
ITALY
Laura Giuliani; Lucia Di Guglielmo, Cecilia Salvai, Elena Linari; Elisabette Oliviero, Arianna Caruso, Manuela Giugliano, Emma Severini, Barbara Bonansea; Cristiana Girelli ©, Sofia Cantore
Subs: Rachele Baldi; Francesca Durante; Eva Schatzer; Martina Piemonte; Julie Piga; Valentina Bergamaschi; Annamaria Serturini; Eleonora Goldoni; Lisa Boattin; Martina Lenzin; Giada Greggi; Michela Cambiaghi
Manager: Andrea Soncin