'A ballad of youth and experience': A closer look at the dramatic clash between Portugal and Italy

Italy's 1-1 draw with Portugal was one of the most exciting games of Euro 2025 so far

Credit: Uefa/Uefa via Getty Images

Diana Gomes’s late strike neutralised Cristiana Girelli’s thunderbolt as the game ended in a draw.

After an eight-goal fest in the first game of the day, Portugal and Italy brought drama to the table. A thunderbastard goal, multiple woodwork hits, a marginal offside call, a late equaliser and a red card, this game had everything. The last action of the game was a shot in the side netting by Italy.

Italy found the breakthrough in the 70th minute via their captain Girelli. The 35-year-old hit a curling effort in the top corner to put Le Azzurre ahead with 20 minutes to go. The Juventus striker scored her second goal at the Euros, last scoring in the 2017 edition of the tournament.

Portugal came agonisingly close in the 83rd minute when Diana Silva’s goal was ruled out for offside. Just six minutes later, Silva created the goal that would put Portugal level. Gomes’s unintentional strike looped over the Italy goalkeeper and into the back of the net. While the game was heading to a close, a strong challenge by Portugal captain, Ana Borges, was met with a second yellow, suspending her for the final matchday. Phew!