Portugal avoid elimination thanks to late goal against Italy

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

Portugal's Diana Gomes scored an 89th-minute equaliser against Italy to keep alive their slim Euro 2025 hopes.

Knowing a defeat in Geneva would eliminate her nation, an unmarked Gomes side-footed Dolores Silva's cutback over Italy keeper Laura Giuliani from just inside the area.

Italy, who would have secured a spot in the knockout stages with a win, took the lead through captain Cristiana Girelli's stunning curling strike into the top corner in the 70th minute.

The draw means world champions and Group B leaders Spain advance to the quarter-finals while bottom side Belgium are eliminated.

In the final minute of the match, Portugal captain Ana Borges was sent off after she was shown a second yellow card for a late trip on Barbara Bonansea.

Italy will reach the quarter-finals if they draw with Spain on Friday and will also be through whatever happens if Portugal fail to beat Belgium on the same day.

Portugal's Gomes scores to equalise with Italy

What was the main talking point?

The finish.

Up until Italy's goal there was very little to shout about. After it, though, the match sprung into life.

Portugal had a goal disallowed by the video assistant referee in the final 10 minutes when Diana Silva timed her run too early shortly before she headed against the post and then struck the ball through the legs of Italian keeper Laura Giuliani.

Portugal then hit the woodwork through Carole Costa's header 15 seconds before Gomes' unconventional finish - her strike came off her heel and looped over the Italy keeper - put them level.

Italy, who had been the better side up to that point, almost regained their lead deep into injury-time only for Portugal keeper Patricia Morais to pull off a brilliant save to deny Valentina Bergamaschi's back-post header.

And with the last move of the game Borges, who had been booked in the 74th minute, was sent off after a cynical push on Bonansea which broke up an Italy counter-attack.

Girelli's 'glorious' finish puts Italy ahead against Portugal

Which player stood out?

Portugal keeper Morais replaced Ines Pereira who was dropped following her nation's 5-0 tournament-opening defeat to Spain.

And, making her 99th cap, Morais seriously impressed.

In the first half, she tipped over a looping Girelli effort and then stayed big to block the Italy captain from close range - a save which she celebrated as if she had scored a goal, pumping both of her fists.

In the second period, she ensured Portugal stayed in the competition with her late save to keep out Bergamaschi.

It took a stunning goal to beat her, as Girelli's strike may well finish as goal of the tournament.

The standout stats

Diana Gomes' equaliser after 88 minutes and 25 seconds came through Portugal's first and only shot on target.

It resulted in the first draw between Portugal (2 wins) and Italy (14 wins) in the 17th meeting between the two sides.

This was also the first draw at Euro 2025 in the tournament's 12th match.

What's next for these teams?

Portugal goalkeeper celebrates while image of Group B table is shownBBC Sport/Getty Images

In the final round of Group B games on Friday, Italy face Spain in Bern's Wankdorf Stadium, while Portugal will kick off against Belgium at the same time (20:00 BST) at Stade Tourbillon in Sion.

Italy will go through as group winners if they beat Spain, or as runners-up if they avoid defeat.

Portugal can only progress as runners-up if they beat Belgium, Italy lose to Spain and there is a six-goal swing between them and the Italians.

Where next?

Player of the match

Diana Gomes
7.76
19 Diana Gomes
7.76
12 Patrícia Morais
7.44
7 Kika Nazareth
7.28
17 Diana Silva
7.21
8 Andreia Norton
7.00
21 Ana Capeta
7.00
15 Carole Costa
6.96
11 Tatiana Pinto
6.96
13 Fátima Pinto
6.85
5 Joana Marchão
6.74
10 Jéssica Silva
6.70
6 Andreia Jacinto
6.60
14 Dolores Silva
6.50
9 Ana Borges
6.41
23 Telma Encarnação
6.32
2 Catarina Amado
6.20
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