The opening match finished with celebrations on the pitch at the Stade du Hainaut as the Azzurre claimed a precious win. A minute before, Barbara Bonansea netted the winner with her header as the Azzurre came from behind to beat Australia 1-2. 

The girls were bold and determined twenty years since Italy’s last World Cup appearance and it was against one of the favourites who are sixth in the FIFA ranking and taking part in their seventh World Cup. Milena Bertolini embraced all of her players one by one and celebrated with the FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and CEO Marco Brunelli who were in attendance along with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Over 15,000 supporters were in attendance with a large number of Italians watching at home on TV.

"The girls were fantastic," said the Coach straight after the whistle. "We had to hang on a lot and we had a bit of luck but the team is strong and united and with that spirit, it’s likely that you’ll win games. We started badly in the first half, we were afraid. In the second, we responded and played like we know how and things went better. Now, we have another battle waiting for us against Jamaica. I thank all of the Italians in the stands, we could feel their support. I know that a lot of people watched us, it gives us something extra."

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina was also very pleased following the result: "They’re extraordinary girls, they knew how to come back in a very difficult match against a strong side like Australia. It was an exciting performance and one which confirms the increased interest in the team and women’s football. We have to continue like this."

THE MATCH. For the opening World Cup fixture, Milena Bertolini stuck with the team that beat Switzerland in the last friendly. Laura Giuliani was in goal in front of a centre-back pairing of Gama and Linari with Guagni on the left and Bergamaschi on the right. Giugliano, Cernoia and Galli made up the midfield with Girelli in the hole and Ilaria Mauro and Barbara Bonansea up top. The main threat was Samantha Kerr as she led the line for Australia who played in a 4-2-4 when on the ball as the Matildas showed their ability to move the ball quickly.

After a Kerr header, Italy saw a goal disallowed in the ninth minute following a VAR check. Giugliano played Bonansea through with a perfect through-ball and she beat the goalkeeper but it was ruled out after a three-minute delay with the narrowest of offside calls going against the Juventus forward. Despite being up against a more experienced opponent, Italy played in their usual positive style but Australia went ahead in the 23rd minute. Gama pulled Kerr back and the Honduran referee Borjas pointed to the spot. Kerr stepped up herself, Giuliani saved the penalty but the rebound fell back to the Australian no. 20 who opened her account at the tournament. The Azzurre almost conceded again five minutes later when Raso beat Giugliano but she was saved by the bar. The Matildas were playing with a high line which allowed for Cernoia and Giugliano to play balls in behind. Girelli went through and fired at Williams but the offside flag was up once more. Australia almost made it 2-0 in the 38th minute when Logarzo headed from a Raso cross but Giuliani did well to put it behind for a corner.

Italy came back from the changing room having made one change. Galli went off for Bartoli and Bergamaschi moved further forward. The match continued to be played at a high tempo at the Stade du Hainaut and Giuliani did well in the 54th minute to block a Foord strike. 20 years since the last time, Italy scored at a World Cup 56 minutes in thanks to Barbara Bonansea. Polkinghorne lost the ball playing out from the back, the Juventus forward pounced to get away from Kennedy and finish past Williams. It was her 20th Italy goal after she was the most prolific player in qualifying with three goals and six assists.

Neither side was playing for a draw and it showed with Italy continuing to go for it. In the 62nd minute, Foord stopped Giuliani and there was a VAR check for a possible handball in the Australia box but there was nothing going. Sabatino came on for Mauro and Giacinti for Bergamaschi. Australia were pushing for a winner late on but just when it seemed that it would be a draw in stoppage time, the goal arrived to spark off wild Azzurre celebrations. Cernoia played in a free kick to the far post, Williams misread it and Bonansea was there to head home the winner. Jamaica will be up next on Friday and Italy will have a chance then to book a spot in the knockout stages.

 

ITALY 2-1 AUSTRALIA 

Goals: 22’pen Kerr (A), 56’ and 95’ Bonansea (I)

ITALY: Giuliani; Bergamaschi ( 75’ Giacinti), Linari, Gama (C), Guagni; Cernoia, Giugliano, Galli (46’Bartoli); Girelli; Bonansea, Mauro (58’ Sabatino). Substitutes: Marchitelli, Boattin, Fusetti, Cimini Tucceri, Parisi, Rosucci, Serturini, Tarenzi, Pipitone. Coach: Milena Bertolini.

AUSTRALIA: Williams; Catley, Kennedy, Polkinghorne, Carpenter; Yallop (83’ Kellond-Knight), Evan Egmond, Logarzo (60’ De Vanna); Foord, Raso (69’ Gorry); Kerr (C). Substitutes: Simon, Luik, Roestabakken, Micah, Gielnik, Arnold, Harrison, Allen. Ct: Ante Milicic.

Arbitro: Melissa Borjas (HON). Assistenti: Shirley Perello (HON) e Felisha Mariscal (USA). Quarto ufficiale: Ekaterina Koroleva (USA). VAR: Carlos Del Cerro (SPA) Grande. AVAR: Luciana Mascarana (URU). Jose Maria Sanchez (SPA).

Notes: Attendance 15,380. Bookings Gama (I), Girelli (I), Cernoia (I), De Vanna (A)

National Team schedule (all times CEST)

Sunday 9 June
13:00 – Australia vs. Italy (Stadio du Hainaut)
Followed by press conference

Monday 10 June
10:00 – Training at the Stadio Christophe Laurent in Valenciennes (first 15 minutes open to public)
Followed by press commitments
12:30 – Lunch
14:00 – Departure for Reims from Valenciennes
16:15 – Arrival in Reims

Tuesday 11 June
13:00 – Lunch
Followed by a press conference with a player at the Hotel
18:00 – Training at the Stadio Jean Bucton (first 15 minutes open to public)

Wednesday 12 June
13:00 – Lunch
Followed by a press conference with a player at the Hotel
18:00 – Training at the Stadio Jean Bucton (behind closed doors)

Thursday 13 June
11:00 – Training at the Stadio Jean Bucton (first 15 minutes open to public)
18:30 – Press conference at the Stadio Auguste Delaune (Head Coach and a player)
19:00 - Walkaround

Friday 14 June
18:00 – Jamaica vs. Italy (Stadio Auguste Delaune)
Followed by press conference

Saturday 15 June
10:00 – Training (first 15 minutes open to public)
Followed by press commitments
12:30 – Lunch
14:00 – Bus for Lille
16:45 – Arrival in Lille

Sunday 16 June
12:30 – Lunch
Followed by a press conference with a player at the Hotel
18:00 – Training at Le Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq (behind closed doors)

Monday 17 June
17:00 – Press conference at the Stadio du Hainaut (Head Coach and a player)
19:00 – Training at Le Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq (first 15 minutes open to public)

Tuesday 18 June
21:00 – Italy vs. Brasile (Stadio du Hainaut)
Followed by press conference

N.B. The schedule could be subject to changes