MILAN – Inter Women conceded two late goals to draw 2-2 with Napoli Women at the Arena Civica Gianni Brera on Saturday, leaving a sour taste for the Nerazzurre despite a dominant spell in the second half. Haley Bugeja and Tine Schryvers Wullaert had put Inter ahead, but Fløe and Barker struck for Napoli in the closing stages to snatch a point in the Serie A Women contest.
Inter Women 2-2 Napoli Women: Match Recap
The match began cautiously, with both sides probing for an opening. Inter’s first significant chance fell to Glionna, but her attempt failed to trouble the Napoli goalkeeper. Banusic proved to be Napoli’s most dangerous attacker in the first half, testing Rúnarsdottir with a left-footed shot in the 32nd minute and then failing to capitalize on a subsequent opportunity following a clearance from the Inter ‘keeper.
Inter emerged from the break with renewed aggression. In the 54th minute, Bugeja broke the deadlock, heading home an assist from Andrés for her seventh league goal of the season. The momentum shifted firmly in Inter’s favor, and Wullaert doubled the advantage in the 65th minute. Receiving a pass from Detruyer, the Belgian striker unleashed a precise left-footed strike that beat Beretta, marking her twelfth league goal of the campaign and moving her level with Chawinga on Inter’s all-time scoring list with 26 goals.
However, Napoli refused to yield. The visitors began to press, and their efforts paid off in the 78th minute when Fløe found the back of the net following an uncertain moment in the Inter defense. Fløe’s goal ignited a late surge from Napoli, culminating in an equalizer in the 86th minute. The Danish forward initiated a swift counter-attack, setting up Barker to score from close range, leaving the Inter faithful stunned.
Despite a frantic push for a winner in stoppage time, Inter were unable to regain the lead. The draw leaves Inter with 34 points in the Serie A Women standings.
Key Moments and Turning Points
The match was defined by contrasting halves. Inter’s dominant spell in the second half, fueled by the goals from Bugeja and Wullaert, appeared to have secured the victory. However, Napoli’s resilience and tactical adjustments in the closing stages proved decisive. Fløe’s goal was the catalyst for the comeback, injecting belief into the Napoli side and forcing Inter to defend deeper. Barker’s composed finish then completed the turnaround, denying Inter a valuable three points.
Lineups and Substitutions
Inter (3-5-2): Rúnarsdottir. Bowen, Milinkovic, Andrés; Glionna, Magull (79′ Paz), Csiszar, Detruyer (66′ Tomasevic), Schough (46′ Tomaselli); Wullaert, Bugeja (79′ Santi). Substitutes: Ivarsdottir, Robbioni, Pleidrup, Robustellini, Bartoli, Consolini. Coach: Gianpiero Piovani
Napoli Women (4-4-2): Beretta; Pettenuzzo, Jusjong, Vergani, Giordano; Carcassi (77′ Barker), Bellucci, Sciabica, Kozak (77′ Kainulainen); Banusic, Fløe. Substitutes: Thisgaard, Hornschuch, Veletanlic, Kjolholdt, Faurskov, Troan, A. D’Angelo, O. D’Angelo, Musumeci. Coach: David Sassarini
Match Statistics
Goals: 54′ Bugeja (I), 65′ Wullaert (I), 78′ Fløe (N), 87′ Barker (N)
Stoppage Time: 4’
Booked: Pettenuzzo (N)
Referee: Acquafredda
Assistants: Recupero – Galluzzo
Fourth Official: Cafaro
What’s Next for Inter Women?
Inter Women will gaze to rebound from this disappointing result in their next Serie A Women fixture. Details regarding their upcoming opponent and match schedule will be announced on the official Inter website and social media channels. Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress and future matches through these official sources.
The draw highlights the competitive nature of Serie A Women and the importance of maintaining concentration throughout the entire match. Although Inter demonstrated their attacking prowess with the goals from Bugeja and Wullaert, their inability to close out the game proved costly. The team will undoubtedly analyze this match and work to address the defensive vulnerabilities exposed in the closing stages.
