Italy were pegged back late on as they drew 1-1 with Portugal in Geneva. As a result, we will have to wait for the final verdict in Group B following Friday’s meeting with Spain, who beat Belgium earlier this evening – the Red Flames are now out of the tournament. There was a tinge of regret in the air for the Azzurre after the full-time whistle, because at 1-0 up, Italy were through. “A shame, because we were two minutes away from going through,” said head coach Soncin. “But, it’s still in our own hands and we’re confident we can continue our dream. It’s normal after a game like that, where we had a couple of chances to seal the deal, that there’s a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth. But, we’re still confident that we can go through.” It was a slight stumble for Italy, but the chances of progressing to the knock-out rounds remain high. The Azzurre only need to avoid defeat against Spain; if they lose, it will all depend on Portugal’s result against Belgium – should the Seleção win, it would then go down to goal difference.

First half
Portugal started strongly, knowing that they needed to make up for that heavy defeat to Spain on matchday 1. However, the first to threaten was Girelli, who forced Morais to turn it behind for an Italy corner (8’). The Azzurre grew into it and, in the 20th minute, came close to opening the scoring through a Salvai header, which struck the crossbar. Severini put the ball in the back of the net, tucking home the rebound after Morais had parried Girelli’s effort, but the flag was up for offside (36’). The Azzurre’s third clear-cut chance to take the lead fell the way of Girelli; Cantore with the cut-back, the Italy captain with the shot, and Morais with the save (44’). Goalless at the break.

Second half
Portugal again started the half the stronger of the two sides, dictating possession but without any real chances to speak of. Girelli and co began to regain ground, and the chances began to flow. Following a neat bit of interplay between Boattin and Severini and then a Caruso effort that was just off target, the Azzurre broke the deadlock, and what a way to do it... Girelli received the ball on the edge of the area, shifted it onto her left and sent a pinpoint effort sailing into the top corner (70’). The opener, however, sparked Neto’s side back into life. After a disallowed goal in the 82nd minute, Gomes pulled her team level in the 89th. Dolores Silva sent a low cross into the area, and the Sevilla player finished past Giuliani. Injury time was played at a breakneck pace, but neither side could find a winner, and it ended all square.

PORTUGAL 1-1 ITALY
Portugal (3-5-2): Morais; Gomes, Costa, Pinto; Borges, Norton (76’ Jacinto), Pinto, Nazareth (84’ D. Silva), Marchão (65’ Amado); Capeta (66’ J. Silva), D. Silva (84’ Encarnação).
Subs.: Pereira, Cota-Yarde, Amado, Alves, Seiça, Jacinto, J. Silva, D. Silva, Faria, Correia, Fonseca, Encarnação.
Coach: Neto
Italy (3-5-2): Giuliani; Lenzini, Salvai, Linari; Di Guglielmo (76’ Oliviero), Caruso, Giugliano (59’ Greggi), Severini, Boattin (87’ Bergamaschi); Cantore (59’ Cambiaghi), Girelli (87’ Bonansea).
Subs.: Baldi, Durante, Oliviero, Schatzer, Piemonte, Bonansea, Piga, Bergamaschi, Serturini, Goldoni, Greggi, Cambiaghi.
Coach: SoncinGoals: 70’ Girelli, 89’ Gomes
Referee: Ivana Martinčić (CRO). Assistants: Sanja Rodjak-Karšić (CRO), Staša Špur (SLO). Fourth Official: Tess Olofsson (SVE), VAR: Christian Dingert (GER), AVAR: Sian Massey-Ellis (ENG). Note: Giugliano (I) booked, Borges (P) sent off

Group B
MD1: Belgium 0-1 ITALY, Spain 5-0
MD2: Spain 6-2, Portugal 1-1 ITALY
MD3: ITALY vs Spain, Portugal vs Belgium