Girelli’s Late Header Sends Italy to Semifinals \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Cristiana Girelli scored twice, including a dramatic 90th-minute header, to lift Italy past Norway 2–1 in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 quarterfinals. Norwegian star Ada Hegerberg equalized after missing a penalty, but Italy sealed the win late. The Azzurre return to Geneva for their first semifinal since 1997.
Quick Looks
- Italy beats Norway 2–1 with Girelli’s brace
- Girelli scores decisive 90th-minute header at Stade de Genève
- Hegerberg equalizes after earlier penalty miss
- Italy returns to Women’s Euros semifinals for first time since 1997
- Geneva becomes special ground for Girelli’s scoring heroics
- Norway pushes hard in second half, falls short
- Girelli now has 61 international goals for Italy
- Hegerberg has missed both penalties at Euro 2025
- Italy will face Sweden or England next Tuesday
- Soncin praises team’s unity and belief in postgame celebration
Deep Look
In a night defined by late drama and star power, Cristiana Girelli delivered a masterclass in clutch performance to fire Italy into the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 semifinals, edging past Norway with a thrilling 2–1 victory in Geneva. The 35-year-old veteran striker struck twice, including a soaring 90th-minute header that broke the deadlock and ended Italy’s 28-year wait for a place in the final four.
It was a battle of icons—Girelli vs. Ada Hegerberg—and Girelli emerged triumphant, showing poise and precision in a stadium that’s become her personal stage.
“I felt something magical since we came to Switzerland,” said Girelli, whose last three goals have all been scored into the same net at Stade de Genève, backed by a passionate Italian fan base.
The match’s opening goal came in the 50th minute, when Sofia Cantore, instrumental throughout the game, rifled a low cross through the Norway box. Girelli expertly redirected it past goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand, giving Italy a deserved lead after a tactically sharp first half.
Norway answered in the 66th minute after a moment of redemption for Hegerberg, who had just missed a penalty minutes earlier—her second miss from the spot at Euro 2025. But when Hegerberg latched onto a long ball, she coolly nudged it past Laura Giuliani, the Italian goalkeeper, sending it rolling just inside the post despite desperate defensive efforts.
“She gets the goal after the (penalty) miss, that tells a lot about her,” Norway coach Gemma Grainger said. “It’s heartbreaking to concede so late—it taints the feeling of the game.”
As the match approached extra time, Italy struck again. Cantore, once more the architect, floated a perfect cross to the far post. Girelli rose gracefully and nodded the ball under the crossbar for a dramatic winner. The Italian bench exploded in celebration, with coach Andrea Soncin joining players and staff in a jubilant post-match photo in front of their fans.
“The joy is huge. My heart is full of pride,” Soncin said.
The loss was cruel for Hegerberg, who continues to battle inconsistency from the penalty spot. In this tournament alone, she’s missed two—sending one wide against Switzerland and another just outside Giuliani’s left post in this match. Yet, she also remains a consistent goal threat, now with 51 goals for Norway.
Replays of the penalty call against Italy captain Elena Linari showed a tight contest for the ball that may have included an offside, but no VAR intervention reversed the decision. Hegerberg’s casual approach to the spot-kick failed her again as Giuliani guessed correctly.
Italy had the better of the first half, breaking through Norway’s midfield with ease. Arianna Caruso and Emma Severini both tested Fiskerstrand with long-range efforts. But confidence in possession also left Italy open at the back, and Hegerberg narrowly missed putting Norway ahead in the 36th minute when an awkward cross, deflected by Linari, landed at her feet only for her to misfire.
Norway came out stronger after halftime, loading the field with four attackers and pressing hard for a turnaround. “Our second-half performance was our best in the tournament,” said Grainger. “But they had one quality moment at the end.”
Italy now heads to its first Women’s European Championship semifinal since 1997, where they will meet either Sweden or England next Tuesday—back at the Stade de Genève, where Girelli has found her scoring rhythm. With the Italian fan base growing louder and the Azzurre playing with new belief, Italy’s Cinderella run has become one of Euro 2025’s standout stories.
As for Girelli, whose sublime curling strike against Portugal earlier in the tournament lit up the group stage, Geneva may just be her favorite place on earth. “Maybe I could ask Juventus to play here,” she joked.
Girelli’s Late Header Girelli’s Late Header
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