PORTUGAL STAY ALIVE THANKS TO LATE GOAL IN ITALY DRAW
Diana Gomes’ late strike kept Portugal’s dreams of qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-finals alive, as her delightful finish earned a thoroughly deserved 1-1 draw against Italy.
Le Azzurre had the better of the early chances, as Cristiana Girelli came close with a superb effort from distance that was tipped over the bar, while Cecilia Salvai rattled the bar with a towering header.
Chances were largely few and far between though, as Andrea Soncin’s side struggled with their final ball, creating just one further opportunity of note as Girelli was denied at point-blank range in the dying seconds of the half.
Things continued in a similar fashion after the break, with two belligerent defences proving tough to break down until Girelli engineered some space on the left, cut inside and whipped a stunning strike into the far top corner to break the deadlock.
Portugal rallied through Diana Silva, who hit the post with a header and then bundled home the rebound as Portugal appeared to have equalised, only for VAR to chalk off the goal for a tight offside.
But the drama was far from finished, with Diana Gomes converting a looped, first-time finish that floated over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Francisco Neto’s side had Ana Borges dismissed in injury time following a foul on Barbara Bonansea, but still have a chance of reaching a first quarter-final.
