Portugal 1-1 Italy – late equaliser keeps Portugal alive at Women’s Euro 2025 | OneFootball

An 89th-minute equaliser by Diana Gomes kept Portugal women in contention for the knockout phase of EURO 2025 after a 1-1 draw against Italy.

A slow burner of a match burst into life in the final 20 minutes. Italy took a deserved lead through a brilliant long-range effort by captain Cristiana Girelli, but Portugal refused to lie down.

Diana Silva thought she had equalised but the goal was ruled out by VAR for the tightest of offside calls. Carole Costa then headed a corner against the underside of the crossbar, but moments later her centre-back partner Diana Gomes connected with a Dolores Silva cross to lob the Italy goalkeeper and make it all square.

There was still time for veteran Ana Borges to be sent off for a second yellow card and Italy almost snatched the win at the death.

To finish second in Group B and make the quarter-finals Portugal have to beat the already eliminated Belgium in their final match, hope Italy lose to Spain, and at the same time there has to be a 6-goal swing in goal difference between the Seleção and the Italians.

Kika back with a bang

In addition to the tremendous determination and heart shown by Portugal, the biggest positive from the match was the return of star player Kika Nazareth, who has been four months out of action after damaging ligaments in her left ankle.

Despite being less than 100% fit, Kika was the best player on the pitch, her touch, vision and anticipation giving a Portugal team clearly lacking in confidence a considerable boost.

With Kika back in action, and on the back of a significantly improved display in the second half against Italy, the Seleção will feel they can beat Belgium and hope the other result goes their way.

Portugal coach Francisco Neto

“I’m very proud. We got back to where we want to be. We got back to being Portugal. We had the ball, we pressed high, we recovered the ball in the opponent’s half, we created goal-scoring opportunities.

“We showed an incredible mentality and will to win. After going a goal down, having a goal ruled out by VAR, the only way we could get back into it was through willpower and belief.

“If I can describe this game, it was a match à la Diogo Jota. We dedicate this match to him and his family.

“Now we have to recover and review the game. We are alive and it’s still possible.”

Portugal: Patrícia Morais, Ana Borges, Carole Costa, Diana Gomes, Joana Marchão (Catarina Amado, 65’), Fátima Pinto, Andreia Norton (Andreia Jacinto, 76’), Tatiana Pinto, Kika Nazareth (Telma Encarnação, 84’), Diana Silva (Dolores Silva, 84’), Ana Capeta (Jéssica Silva, 65’)