Italy Draws Ten Women Portugal in Women’s Euros

The second group stage matches in Group B saw Italy take on Portugal in the Stade de Geneva, as both sides are trying to gain an upper hand in the group stage. The hope of reaching the knockout stage of this competition is very crucial to remain alive and not go home early before they get to the final group stage match, but after the full 90 minutes, both sides ended in a one goal draw.

No goals were scored in the first half, but late in the second half was all the action we saw from this important tie. Portugal’s goalkeeper, Patricia Morais, was on her toes the majority of the match as Italy were the aggressors early on, as she stopped a blistering shot with her right hand by Christina Girelli in the eighth minute.

In the 45th minute, Morais was up to the task again as Sofia Cantore attacked down the near side of the pitch. When she got to the area, she crossed the ball into the path of Girelli, as she deflected the ball toward the net, but Morais was in perfect position to get her body to block the ball and forced a rebound header shot to go wide of the near post.

There was a five-woman collision in the 43rd minute as two Italian attackers and three Portuguese defenders crashed and collided at the far post, which put a temporary halt to the match to make sure everyone was alright. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt as all of them were able to get themselves up off the pitch and continue to play.

Italy finally breaks the deadlock in the 70th minute, with an amazing strike from their captain. As Giada Greggi attacked with the ball, she made a nice pass to Girelli along the far side. As she controlled it, she moved a little bit in and just outside of the area, blasting a wonderstrike to the back post and nailed the upper near 90 for the lead.

But Portugal was able to equalize late in regulation time. In the 89th minute, Portugal earned a corner, but the shot hit the crossbar and out. They retrieved the ball at the near side, attacking down the pitch. Tatiana Pinto made a pass from the near side touchline to Doloras Silva, who crossed the ball at Diana Gomes, who took a stab at the ball and chipped it over the head of Laura Giuliani.

Portugal would be down to ten women inside second half stoppage time. Barbara Bonansea was dribbling down the far side and along the touchline, making an attacking run, but catching up to her was Portugal Captain Ana Borges. When Borges caught up to Bonansea, she used her left elbow and shoved her out of play.

Sadly, Bonansea crashed into the electronic sign ads. That forced the referee to show Borges the straight red card, and she is suspended for the final group stage match. The point barely keeps Portugal alive while Italy has four points and now can attempt to get a result when they face Spain in the last group stage match.,