GENEVA, Switzerland — A last-gasp equalizer by Portugal’s Diana Gomes against Italy in a thrilling 1-1 draw kept alive her country’s Women’s Euro campaign when her strike cancelled out a stunning second-half goal by Cristiana Girelli on Monday.
Le Azzurre thought they were through to the quarterfinals after Girelli scored in the 70th minute, shifting the ball to her right foot at the edge of the box before unleashing a curling shot into the top right corner that goalkeeper Patricia Morais had little chance of stopping.
The 35-year-old Girelli fought back tears after the goal.
But Gomes brought Portugal’s level in the 89th when a corner hit the bar and the team worked the ball back into the box for her to fire into the roof of the net, sending their raucous fans, who chanted and banged drums throughout the night, into utter delirium.
The draw spoiled Italy’s chance of clinching a berth in the knockout round on Monday, with Spain the only Group B team to have so far guaranteed a quarterfinal spot. — Reuters
