Rinsola Babajide on target as AS Roma share spoils with Inter Milan in Copa Italia
Super Falcons winger Rinsola Babajide was on the scoresheet for AS Roma Women, but a late penalty from Inter Milan forced a 1–1 draw in the first leg of the Coppa Italia Women’s semi-final.
Fresh from international duty with Nigeria where she featured in the Super Falcons’ victory over Cameroon Babajide carried that momentum back to club football, delivering the breakthrough for Roma early in the second half.
After a tightly contested and goalless opening 45 minutes, the hosts finally found their moment in the 52nd minute. Babajide reacted sharply in the box to finish off a well-worked move created by Evelyne Viens, giving Roma a deserved lead. The strike marked her first goal since her dramatic late equaliser against Parma in the league.
Roma appeared to be on course to take a slender advantage into the second leg as they managed the game through much of the second half. Babajide, who posed a constant threat in attack, was substituted in the 77th minute after an energetic performance.
However, Inter Milan struck late to change the complexion of the tie. With just three minutes left on the clock, Tessa Wullaert converted from the penalty spot in the 87th minute to restore parity and leave the semi-final finely poised ahead of the return leg.
Super Falcons defender Shukurat Oladipo also featured for Roma, starting at the back and completing the full 90 minutes in a solid defensive outing.
Attention now shifts to the decisive second leg scheduled for 28 March, while Roma will first return to league action against Fiorentina in the Serie A Femminile on Sunday, March 15.
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