Italy salvages 1-1 draw against Iceland at Women’s Euros

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Valentina Bergamaschi’s second-half goal recovered a point for Italy against Iceland at the Women’s European Championship, clinching a 1-1 draw on Thursday that left both teams still able from advance to the quarterfinals.

Italy remains last in Group C with only one point with Belgium, which was playing France in the late game.

Iceland, which has two points, took the lead through Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir inside three minutes with the first chance of the game at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium. Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir’s long throw caused panic in the Italy penalty area and Vilhjálmsdóttir unleashed a shot that flew inside the post.

The match turned on two chances within a minute just after the hour mark. Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir had a golden chance to grab a second for Iceland but she could only poke her close-range shot wide.

Italy then went down the other end and skillful play from Barbara Bonansea on the left flank ended with her picking out Bergamaschi in the center of the box to apply the finish in the 62nd minute.

Bonansea almost found the winner but goalkeeper Sandra Sigurðardóttir tipped the ball onto the inside of the post.

Group C concludes on Monday with Italy playing Belgium and Iceland facing France.

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