Italy 1-1 Iceland: Valentina Bergamaschi equalises for the Azzurre

Italy and Iceland were forced to settle for a point each as their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals of Euro 2022 were left on a knife-edge.

Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir's strike gave Iceland the lead in the Group D encounter at Manchester City's Academy Stadium.

But for the second successive game, Iceland were unable to hold on to their lead as Valentina Bergamaschi equalised after half-time to earn Italy their first point of the tournament.

It could have been worse for Iceland as Italy finished strongly, Barbara Bonansea hitting a low shot that Sandra Sigurdardottir tipped on to the inside of the post.

Iceland have two points from two games and face group favourites in their third and final group game on Monday in Rotherham (20:00 BST).

Despite her side coming from behind to seal a point, Italy's boss was not impressed with the result.

"This is a European Championship of suffering for us," said Milena Bertolini.

Iceland had put themselves in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals for only the second time when Bayern Munich's Vilhjalmsdottir struck with a sliced shot after Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir's long throw into the box caught out Italy's defence.

Italy, quarter-finalists at the 2019 World Cup, started slowly but improved, with Arianna Caruso forcing Sigurdardottir into an important save.

But the Azzurre increased the pressure after half-time and it was no surprise when Bergamaschi equalised after meeting substitute Bonansea's pull-back.

Italy piled forward in the closing stages with the lively Bonansea, who was named player of the match, going close.

But their hopes of progressing to the knockout phase now depend on next Monday and the final round of games in the group, with Italy back at the Academy Stadium against Belgium, also 20:00 BST.

"We knew we would have to secure progression in the last match, so it's nothing new," Bertolini added.

"Conceding so early could have killed the confidence of the players but they did well to react."

Iceland might be one of the smallest nations at Euro 2022 in of population, but it seems the whole country has rallied to get behind the team at this tournament.

After prime minister Katrin Jakobsdottir attended the opening game with Belgium last Sunday, president Gudni Johannesson was part of the 4,029 crowd in Manchester to see the team ranked 17th in the world hold Italy.

Despite remaining unbeaten, there will be disappointment in the Iceland camp they failed to hold on to the lead again.

Against Belgium on Sunday, they had 23 attempts but had to settle for a 1-1 draw after going ahead.

Once again they failed to capitalise from a strong start as Italy bounced back from a crushing 5-1 defeat to in their first game.