There was drama in Geneva as Diana Gomes struck late to salvage Portugal's European Championship hopes. In a wide ranging conclusion to the match, Cristiana Girelli thought she had despatched Italy by to the quarter-finals. Francisco Neto's facet piled on the strain within the last levels, nonetheless, and equalised within the 89th minute to make sure their desires of progress remained alive.
“We have been stable, we have been courageous,” mentioned a delighted Neto. “We performed excessive, pressed our opponents, and performed like a staff within the European Championship. We're a staff with persona and ambition. It's not simple once you're dropping, then you definately rating but it surely's disallowed once more, after which rating once more! I'm very proud.”
“The final phrases I advised my gamers was to play, to have enjoyable,” he continued. “Taking part in in a European Championship is a privilege. They're associates, they wish to do issues for one another. As a staff, they actually rise to the problem.”
There had been contrasting fortunes on the opening day for each. Whereas Italy earned a hard-fought victory over Belgium, Portugal had suffered a morale-sapping defeat in opposition to Spain. This was not fairly final likelihood saloon for Neto's facet however virtually, understanding they need to keep away from defeat to keep away from elimination.
It was almost definitely because of this that the Portuguese supervisor rang the modifications. Previous to this match, that they had conceded 25 within the final 5 – a defensive document that can by no means carry success at this stage. Goalkeeper Patrícia Morais got here in for Inês Pereira to realize her 99th cap whereas Ana Borges and Joana Marchão introduced appreciable expertise into defence. They got a big increase with the return of Kika Nazareth for the primary time since struggling an ankle harm in March. The 22-year-old playmaker was making her long-awaited return in opposition to the facet she made her senior worldwide debut in opposition to simply 5 years earlier.
Italy, in the meantime, had impressed in opposition to Belgium and supervisor Soncin caught with the identical staff that had served them so properly. Girelli had the armband as soon as once more, making her 121st look for her nation.
Portugal's Borges and Andreia Jacinto had emphasised pre-match the necessity for a quick begin. They have been compact all through the primary half, repelling Italy's advances and even dominated the ball with out creating something of actual be aware. Once they did break, Soncin's well-drilled staff dropped shortly to defend the area in behind and counter the pace of the likes of Diana Silva.
Le Azzurre, in distinction created one of the best alternatives. Girelli was on the coronary heart of the motion and compelled a world-class cease from Morais earlier than turning a Manuela Giugliano cross vast.
Portugal rode their luck at occasions. Cecilia Salvai got here so shut to creating her mark after lacking the final three main tournaments with harm however noticed her header agonisingly crash off the bar. Emma Severini had a purpose dominated out for offside earlier than the Portugal goalkeeper was available as soon as once more to maintain her staff within the contest. When Girelli met Sofia Cantore's low cross, the ball seemed destined for the again of the web however Morais instinctively caught out a foot. She turned fist-pumping to the followers behind the purpose, celebrating as if she had scored.
The second half was a quiet affair till the sport burst into life with 20 minutes left.
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Girelli is a personality that embodies girls's soccer in Italy and she or he made her mark on this competitors with a spectacular curling effort that gave Morais no likelihood. Because the tears fell in celebration, the importance of the second was etched all around the ahead's face.
Neto's facet had not learn the memo, nonetheless, and launched an lively response as they piled the strain on Italy's purpose. Diana Silva thought she had levelled when she turned a rebound effort dwelling just for a prolonged VAR examine to rule it out for offside.
To not be deterred, Portugal continued to push ahead and at last received their rewards due to a sweetly guided end from Diana Gomes with a minute left on the clock. Jubilant celebrations adopted as Neto's facet breathed recent life into their marketing campaign.
There was nonetheless time for Ana Borges to obtain a second yellow but it surely mattered little as Portugal go into their last recreation in opposition to Belgium understanding they've the possibility to succeed in the knockouts. Italy have all of it to do in a troublesome encounter with Spain.
