Reims, a place where French Kings were once coronated, was the location for Italy’s 5-0 thrashing of Jamaica on Friday – a victory that ensures the Azzurre’s spot in the last 16. A hat-trick for Cristiana Girelli inspired Milena Bertolini’s side, with a further two goals from Aurora Galli proving to be the cherry on top of what was a splendid performance.

Despite the praise received after their victory over Australia, the Azzurre were more than focused for Friday’s fixture. This latest win now leaves them in a perfect position to secure top spot in their group. Just a draw against Brazil on Tuesday will be enough to finish in pole position – a result that’ll mean they’ll face one of the four best-third place sides in Montpellier on 25th June.

“This match was fundamental in reaching the last 16,” said Head Coach Milena Bertolini. “This was a huge goal for us. We felt all of the emotion surrounding the game. We were a bit stunted in our play during the first half but we did well. There are many things for us to work on, but the defence did well in moments of difficulty. You have to win these matches but you also can’t concede. I must give credit to Sara Gama, who’s an unbeatable wall in defence. I’m really pleased. I have plenty of emotions because reaching the last 16 is a great achievement. Thanks to all of the Italians who supported us.”

28 years after Carolina Morace scored a hat-trick against Taipei, it was another Azzurre star who this time stole the headlines: “It was a great victory,” said Cristiana Girelli, who was Player of the match against Jamaica. “We played as if we were on zero points. This team has character, it wasn’t easy to stay focused after the enthusiasm from the first game. When you play well it’s because the team allows you to do so. We’re pleased, but we still have one tough match to go against the Brazilians. We’ll now recharge our batteries and then we’ll enjoy this experience. I must thank the fans because they turned out in abundance, we didn’t expect this. They gave us an added boost. We don’t want to stop here.”

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and CEO Marco Brunelli were both present to watch the Azzurre: “The girls were splendid,” said Gravina. “The dream has become a reality because the performances are confirming this group’s worth. I’m pleased for them and for everyone else who’s supporting our girls. We must keep fuelling this enthusiasm, the time has come to set ourselves new goals.”

Compared to the Australia match, there were two changes. Bartoli came on against the Matildas and she started at left-back with Guagni on the right while Bergamaschi was moved up into midfielder. Up front, Daniela Sabatino took the place of Ilaria Mauro. As announced by Milena Bertolini in advance, all of the players who were a booking away from suspension (Gama, Cernoia and Girelli) started. Hue Menzies also switched things up, setting Jamaica up in a 4-4-2 with Solaun, Campbell, Adamolekun and Grey starting while Khadija Shaw posed the main threat up front.

Italy started aggressively, looking to get in behind with Giuliani dictating play. Nine minutes in, VAR intervened and a penalty was awarded for the Roma defender Allyson Swaby’s foul on Bonansea. The New Zealand referee Keighley initially waved played on before being called over to check the monitor. Girelli fired her first penalty to the left of Schneider who saved. However, VAR called for it to be retaken due to Schneider coming off her line and Girelli was able to score the second time around.

The Azzurre were on top and in the 25, Girelli redirected a corner with her thigh to double the lead. Italy had another chance straight after when Sabatino hit the bar following a scramble in the box. Italy were in clear control and right at the start of the second half, Schneider failed to claim the ball, allowing Girelli to complete her hat-trick and score her 32nd international goal. 28 years since Carolina Morace last did it, she became the most recent Italy player to net a World Cup hat-trick. Boattin came on for Guagni and Galli replaced Bergamaschi. Jamaica started to apply more pressure with Giugliano denying Shaw from close range before Blackwood hit the bar. Aurora Galli then made it four in the 71st minute with a rocket of a strike from outside the box. Milena Bertolini then took Girelli off with her running the risk of picking up a suspension and she was given a standing ovation by the 12,000-strong crowd at the Stade Auguste Delaune. In the 81st minute Manuela Giugliano set Galli up for her second which made it 0-5 and the size of the victory may prove important with goal difference potentially coming into play in determining who wins the group. On Tuesday, Valenciennes will be the venue with Italy facing Brazil with the aim of winning the group although the Azzurre know that they will be in the knockout stages regardless of the result.

ITALY 5-0 JAMAICA 

Goals: 12’ pen., 25’  and 46’ Girelli (I), 71’ and 81’ Galli (I)

ITALY: Giuliani; Guagni (57’ Boattin), Gama (c), Linari, Bartoli; Giugliano, Cernoia, Bergamaschi (65’ Galli); Girelli (72’ Giacinti); Sabatino, Bonansea. Substitutes: Marchitelli, Cimini Tucceri, Fusetti, Parisi, Rosucci, Serturini, Tarenzi, Mauro, Pipitone. Head Coach: Milena Bertolini.

Jamaica: Schneider; Plummer (c), Blackwood, A. Swaby, C. Swaby (46’Sweatman); Solaun, Asher, Campbell, Adamolekun (73’ Silver); Shaw, Grey (65’ Brown). Substitutes: McClure, Hudson-Marks, Shim, Brown, Cameron, Bond-Flasza, Carter, Patterson, Matthews, Jamieson. Head Coach: Hue Menzies

Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley (NZL). Assistants: Sarah Jones (NZL) and Maria Salamina (SAM). Fourth official: Claudia Umpierrez (URU). VAR: Danny Makkelie (NED). AVAR: Chrysoula Kourompylia (GRE) and Pawel Gil (POL).

Notes: Attendance 12,016. Bookings: Schneider (G) and Shaw (G).

 

National Team schedule (all times CEST)

 

Saturday 15 June

10:00 – Training (first 15 minutes open to the 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. Brazil (Stade du Hainaut)

Followed by press conference

N.B. The schedule could be subject to changes