Girelli double fires Italy past Norway into Women’s Euros semi-finals | OneFootball

Cristiana Girelli scored two second half goals as she helped fire the Italy Women’s national team into the semi-finals of the Euros with a 2-1 victory over Norway.

A hotly-contested affair was goalless at half-time before two goals from Juventus forward Girelli separated the two sides, despite an equaliser from 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – JULY 16: Cristiana Girelli of Italy celebrates scoring her team’s second goal with teammates during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Quarter-Final match between Norway and Italy at Stade de Geneve on July 16, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Italy reach semis for first time since 1997

Girelli’s brace sees Italy reach the semi-finals of the Women’s Euros for the first time since the 1997 edition of the tournament, where they finished as runners-up in a competition joint-hosted by Sweden and Norway.

Since then, they have failed to make it past the quarter-finals – crashing out in the group stage in the last two editions of the competition in 2017 and 2022.

This evening, Italy deserve their win. They finished the game with more possession, more completed passes and more shots on goal – with Girelli sealing the victory in the 90th minute.

Italy’s reward for their win today is a semi-final against either Sweden or England on July 22.