With both sides competing in the last eight of the tournament for the first time since 2013, it was Italy who stamped their authority on proceedings early on, as Arianna Caruso scuffed a promising chance narrowly wide of the far post.
Le Azzurre continued to look the more threatening of the two teams as the first half progressed, but Barbara Bonansea’s inviting delivery was wasted by Emma Severini and Girelli, who collided when challenging for the same close-range header.
Severini and Manuela Giugliano saw further opportunities go begging for Andrea Soncin’s side with half-time approaching, while at the other end, Norway created their first opening when Lisa Naalsund’s dangerous low cross was deflected off target.
Gemma Grainger’s women could’ve taken the lead against the run of play on the stroke of the interval, but Signe Gaupset, having spotted Laura Giuliani off her line, fired an audacious 50-yard strike narrowly wide of the open goal.
Determined to make up for their first-half profligacy, Italy needed just five minutes after the restart to deservedly break the deadlock.
Sofia Cantore cut in from the right wing, and her low effort was touched home by captain Girelli for the striker’s 60th international goal.
Le Azzurre thought they’d doubled their lead just four minutes later, only for Severini’s scrambled finish to be ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
The frantic nature of the contest showed no signs of slowing down, with Norway being awarded a penalty shortly before the hour mark, when Elena Linari hauled Ada Hegerberg down in the box. Hegerberg assumed the responsibility from the spot, but planted her spot-kick inexplicably wide of the target.
Undeterred by that miss, Norway’s MVP soon made amends, racing onto Maren Mjelde’s long ball over the top and poking a clinical finish beyond Giuliani.
Both sides continued to commit numbers forward in pursuit of a late winner, as Ingrid Engen curled agonisingly wide from the edge of the box.
Grateful for that reprieve, Italy found the all-important moment of quality in the final minute of the 90’, with Girelli finding space in the six-yard box to head home from Cantore’s inch-perfect cross.
Norway were unable to muster a response in the closing stages, and Soncin’s side progressed to the last four, where they’ll face either England or Sweden.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Cristiana Girelli (Italy)