MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Italy fought back to draw 1-1 with Iceland in the Women’s European Championship on Thursday after Valentina Bergamaschi cancelled out Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir’s opener.
The draw kept Iceland second and Italy bottom in Group D, which also includes France and Belgium who meet later in Rotherham.
Bayern Munich midfielder Vilhjalmsdottir gave Iceland the lead in the third minute, firing a half-volley into the top corner after the Italian defence failed to clear a long throw-in from the left.
Italy, quarter-finalists at the 2019 World Cup, pressed for the equaliser and finally found it in the 62nd minute when AC Milan midfielder Bergamaschi timed her run perfectly to meet substitute Barbara Bonansea’s pull-back.
The equaliser frustrated Iceland as it came just a minute after Alexandra Johannsdottir scuffed an opportunity to double their lead, hitting her shot wide from inside the box, despite having plenty of space.
Italy pushed hard for a second goal as Bonansea’s low shot hit the woodwork in the 73rd minute, while Iceland were left to rue their missed chances as Vilhjalmsdottir failed to convert an easy opportunity in the 87th minute.
Vilhjalmsdottir knew her miss was a costly one for Iceland as she was seen in tears on the bench after going off.
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
