Italy Make History at Euro 2025

Veteran Cristina Girelli made history for Le Azzurre with a brace that included a last-minute winner against Norway to send Italy to their first Euro semi-final since 1997. Italy have exceeded expectations so far, can they continue to shake up the tournament, and do they have a genuine chance at going all the way to the final?

How Did Italy Reach The Semi-Finals?

Italy progressed to the knockout stages of Euro 2025 by finishing second in Group B behind World Champions Spain.

Italy's campaign began with a 1-0 win against Belgium, before squandering their lead of the same scoreline late on in their second game against Portugal in the 89th minute.

Whilst everything wasn't necessarily in their favour, their 3-1 defeat against Spain in their final group game didn't hurt them, as Portugal fell to defeat against Belgium.

Italy were the better side for the majority of the game against Norway, creating multiple chances, before captain Cristina Girelli gave them the lead in the 50th minute, and despite Ada Hegerberg's equaliser, Italy took their chance well with Girelli heading home a dramatic last-minute winner, creating a historic win for Le Azzurre.

A Rare Achievement

Italy have been one of the long standing nations in the Euros having been one of four participants in the inaugural tournament in 1984 and have featured in every competition since apart from the 1995 tournament.

The last time they reached the semi-final was in 1997 when they knocked out Spain and went on to lose to Germany in the final.

Their best performance at a World Cup was in 2019 when Milena Bertolini's side reached the quarter-finals after eliminating former runners up China in a competition they have seen little success in having failed to qualify for four successive World Cups from 2003 to 2015.

Can Italy Go All The Way?

Whilst Italy only scored three goals in the group stages, they have scored first in each of their four outings in Switzerland so far.

Their quarter-final against Norway was their best performance so far being able to transition from defence to attack with frightening speed, whilst making the pitch as wide as possible.

Semi-final opponents England have already shown at this tournament that they can struggle with pace against France & Sweden's forwards and Italy will be looking to exploit this as much as they can and will be a central part of their game plan heading into Tuesday's semi-final.

Italy have showed the fight, hunger and belief so far at Euro 2025, characteristics that are always a key part when representing the country and wearing Le Azzure jersey.

Italy celebrated as if they had already won the tournament against Norway, as by reaching the semi-finals as they have already surpassed all expectations and given their form in previous tournaments, especially their shock exit at the 2023 World Cup, this result will give them a much needed confidence boost heading into the semi-final against England.

The semi-final won't be an easy task facing European Champions England, but this won't unsettle Italy, as not many have given them a chance or predicted that they would get this far so as the underdogs heading into the semi-final they will have a point to prove and have to get their elbows out and hope to cause an upset on their route to the final.