Italy is the first team to reach the semi-finals of the Women's European Championship in Switzerland! The Italians beat Norway 2-1 (0-0) in the quarter-finals in Geneva on Wednesday. Captain Cristiana Girelli won the match with a brace (50th, 90th). On the other end, Ada Hegerberg (66th), who had previously missed a penalty (60th), scored. The Italians will face Sweden or England again in Geneva on Tuesday in the fight for a place in the final.

Norwegian team boss Gemma Grainger relied on shooting star Signe Gaupset from the start in front of more than 26,000 spectators at the sold-out Stade de Genève. The 20-year-old, who had impressed with two goals and two assists in the final group match against Iceland (4-3), attacked alongside Hegerberg and Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen. Chelsea veteran Guro Reiten had to move to left-back. For Italy, Girelli returned to the attack, successfully. Hegerberg missed again from the penalty spot.

The Italians pressured Norway in the early stages with their pressing. Midfielder Arianna Caruso shot just wide after winning the ball back (8th), and Emma Severini's shot was too central (22nd). The Norwegians only became dangerous for the first time in the 36th minute, when Italy's Elena Linari deflected Thea Bjelde's cross onto Hegerberg's thigh. A brave Gaupset attempt from 40 meters went just wide of the goal (45th). After the change of ends, Italy struck.

Sofia Cantore's precise cross lightly touched her strike partner Girelli and directed the ball into the goal. At the other end, penalties were awarded because Linari had held Hegerberg. The fouled player stepped up and took a penalty kick right next to the goal for the second time in the tournament. In the first match against Switzerland (2-1), Hegerberg had passed the ball into the goal from the left, this time on the right.

Criticism of the former world footballer had already been voiced in Norway recently. But the 30-year-old still scored her goal. After a long ball from Maren Mjelde, Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani hesitated to rush forward, and Hegerberg headed the ball past her and into the net. The Norwegians came closer to the winning goal after that, but failed to capitalize on their opportunities.

This allowed Girelli to make the late decision: the 35-year-old Juventus player converted Cantore's cross with her head. Italy returns to the semifinals after 28 years. Thus, Italy's women are in the Euro semifinals for the first time since 1997, while Norway must continue to hope for a penultimate round appearance since reaching the final in 2013.

The Norwegians have already been European champions twice, but the 1995 World Cup title remains their last major triumph. Italy, meanwhile, can continue dreaming after a laborious group stage with four points and only three goals in three matches.