Andrea Bertolacci scored an acrobatic last-gasp equalizer to give Italy a 1-1 draw with Norway as both teams progressed to the next phase of the European U-21 Championships.
The Azzurrini needed a point against Norway to be sure of finishing top of Group A and had gone 1-0 down at the 90th minute to a Stefan Strandberg penalty.
However, the Norwegians were left with just a draw for their troubles as Bertolacci came up with a fantastic equalizer in the dying seconds of stoppage time.
Norway struggled to clear and, with his back to goal, Bertolacci acrobatically flicked the ball over his head to loop into the far top corner for his first Azzurrini goal.
Italy will now take on either Spain or the Netherlands in the semi-finals, with that match scheduled to take place on June 15.
"I am very happy about the goal as it was important to get a draw since we didn't deserve to lose," Bertolacci told Rai Sport.
"I had my back to goal, but I knew where it was, so a great goal came out of it."
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| Italy U-21 player Andrea Bertolacci celebrates after scoring the equalizer against Norway U-21 Photo: Getty Images |
The Azzurrini needed a point against Norway to be sure of finishing top of Group A and had gone 1-0 down at the 90th minute to a Stefan Strandberg penalty.
However, the Norwegians were left with just a draw for their troubles as Bertolacci came up with a fantastic equalizer in the dying seconds of stoppage time.
Norway struggled to clear and, with his back to goal, Bertolacci acrobatically flicked the ball over his head to loop into the far top corner for his first Azzurrini goal.
Italy will now take on either Spain or the Netherlands in the semi-finals, with that match scheduled to take place on June 15.
"I am very happy about the goal as it was important to get a draw since we didn't deserve to lose," Bertolacci told Rai Sport.
"I had my back to goal, but I knew where it was, so a great goal came out of it."
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