France vs Italy 5-1: Dreadful Azzurre Debut at Women’s Euro

The debut of Milena Bertolini’s Italy at Women’s Euro 2022 ended in a bloodbath as the Azzurre were totally outclassed by France and conceded five goals in the first half already. Martina Piemonte’s late goal was a small consolation prize for Italy, who had the merit of keeping their cool after the restart despite a largely compromised situation. 

Broadcasted on the principal TV state channel in prime time for the first time ever, the Azzurre had been receiving unprecedented coverage as the European competition approached. Coach Bertolini and her ladies were sort of called to redeem the national footballing honor after the poor showings put together by their male counterparts over the past few months. 

However, Italy’s dreams faced a painful reality check at the New York Stadium in Rotherham as they were dominated by the Frenchwomen from all points of view. They surely knew that facing France was going to be no easy task as Corinne Diacre’s as armada came into the game unbeaten in the last 30 matches, having won 28 of them.

Still, Italy totally lost control as soon as Les Blues found the back of the net for the first time. The initial 45 minutes were an absolute ordeal for the Azzurre, who were pegged back into their own half and scrambled to record a poor 34% ball possession.

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Le 11 #Azzurre ? scelte dalla Ct Milena #Bertolini per

?? #Francia ? ?? #Italia

⏱️ Oggi, ore 21
?️ New York Stadium – #Rotherham
? In diretta su Rai1 – Sky Sport e Rai Radio 1#WEURO2022 #FranciaItalia #FraIta#Nazionale #LeAzzurreSiamoNoi pic.twitter.com/Qmk70Aa4es

— Nazionale Femminile di Calcio (@AzzurreFIGC) July 10, 2022

Ironically, Italy seemed to be off to a good start as they were the first to make themselves dangerous with Barbara Bonansea, whose early shot was well saved by the French goalie Pauline Peyraud Magnin.

But France reacted fast and put their heads ahead on nine minutes already as Grace Geyoro pounced on an ineffective defensive clearance from the Azzurre‘s captain Sara Gama. She found the back of the net with a sharp close-range shot.

France made the second on the counter two minutes later, courtesy of an irresistible progression along the left flank by Sakina Karchaoui, which forced Gama to deflect her cross in the middle of the box. The Italian goalkeeper Laura Giuliani failed to block the ball and offered Marie-Antoinette Katoko an easy chance to round up the scoring for the French.

From a Kadidiatou Diani cross, this time from the right side, immediately came another chance for Les Bleues. It was Giuliani’s right post to spare the Azzurre more blushes. 

Italy had no answers for the French incursions from either side, Karchaoui and Diani cutting through the flanks like hot knives through butter. Milena Bertolini’s side attempted a feeble reaction but, on 39 minutes, France wrapped the game up as Delphine Cascarino beat Giuliani with an absolute screamer from outside the box. 

The Bleues‘ showtime continued one minute later, with Geyoro finalizing a one-touch effort to bag her daily brace – which became a hat trick just before the break as she slotted the ball home again from the center of the box. Half-time break came as a relief for the dazed Azzurre, who were crushed by the French’s physical and technical domination.

Renarde des surfaces ? @MarieKatoto

??2-0?? | #FRAITA #FiersdetreBleues | #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/Oefk4Lb6y4

— Equipe de France Féminine (@equipedefranceF) July 10, 2022

For Italy, the second period turned into a desperate battle not to concede more goals as Corinne Diacre’s ladies understandably hit the brakes and started to think about the next game.

Still, things could have gotten even worse for the Azzurre, who risked losing their captain Sara Gama. The referee gave her her marching orders on 63 minutes for a clumsy tackle on Cascarino, but her decision was corrected by the VAR and Gama was only booked in the end.

Italy scored one for pride with Martina Piemonte, who had set foot on the pitch only a few minutes earlier. The Milan striker jumped higher than her marker to receive a long range cross in the middle of the box and head the ball past Peyraud Magnin.

The Azzurre closed the game attacking in the final third but could not open any more breaches. The mindset they showed in the final stages of the match was an encouraging one in view of their next Women’s Euro game on Thursday against Iceland.

The Icelandic tied 1-1 to Belgium in the opening game of Group D of the continental competition. Not all is lost for Italy, who still have plenty of chances to make it past the group stage – provided that they forget tonight’s abysmal start soon and build on the few good things seen late in the game. 

 

MATCH SCORECARD

July 10, 2022 – UEFA Women’s Euro 20220 Group D
FRANCE – ITALY 5-1

SCORERS: 9′ Geyoro (F), 12′ Katoko (F), 39′ Cascarino (F), 40′ Geyoro (F), 44′ Geyoro (F), 76′ Piemonte (I)