Cristiana Girelli’s goal gives Italy win over Argentina at Women’s World Cup
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — In the house of some 4 minutes, Cristiana Girelli made historical past.
Girelli grew to become the primary Italian to attain in two Women’s World Cups together with her purpose within the 87th minute that gave Italy a 1-0 win in its event opener towards Argentina on Monday.
“There’s nothing special, it’s just that I did my duty,” Girelli stated. “I did my best. I was really willing to help my teammates.”
Italy put the ball at the back of the web twice within the opening half however each occasions have been offside, earlier than Girelli’s breakthrough header. Girelli got here into the match in its place within the 83rd minute.
The Italians have by no means dropped a gap match on the World Cup. But this time they confronted tenacious Argentina, looking forward to its first-ever win within the event. Going into the World Cup, La Albiceleste have been impressed by their males’s aspect and star Lionel Messi, who introduced house the World Cup trophy from Qatar late final yr.
“We will try to leave this game behind us, learn from what happened, and continue reinforcing the positive. Now we need to clear our minds, look at what comes next and take on the group,” Argentina ahead Estefania Banini stated.
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Italy has had extra success on the large stage, advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2019 after a 2-0 spherical of 16 victory over China. The Italians have been stopped by the Netherlands, which went on to lose to the United States within the remaining.
Argentina had a boisterous part of followers _ together with a drum corps _ on the match at Eden Park. The crowd on the match was introduced at 30,889.
Argentina’s girls returned to the World Cup 4 years in the past in France after a 12-year absence and had a tricky time: after a draw with Japan and a loss to England, the staff performed to a tie with Scotland _ however couldn’t accumulate sufficient factors to advance out of the group.
“We couldn’t really manage to get a positive result, but my players gave it their all. Yes, they gave it their all and they know this. I told them this,” Argentina coach German Portanova. “We took the field with a certain mindset, but we couldn’t do it for the 90 minutes.”
Arianna Caruso, who performs professionally for Juventus, appeared to attain from distance within the fifteenth minute however Italy was rapidly dominated offside. The 23-year outdated was the youngest girl to achieve 100 appearances with Juventus.
A midfielder, she was certainly one of Italy’s most harmful gamers early within the match. But she was handed a yellow card within the twenty fifth minute and was subbed off within the 58th minute.
Italy was offside once more on Valentina Giacinti’s tried purpose late within the half.
Italy goalkeeper Lara Esponda held Argentina at bay on a harmful free kick within the 73rd.
Italy began 16-year-old Giulia Dragoni at midfield and the Barcelona participant nicknamed “Little Messi” is the second-youngest European to play on the event. Dragoni wears No. 16 to correspond together with her age.
She was changed by Girelli, at 33 the oldest participant within the Azzurre squad, within the 83rd minute. Girelli’s purpose was the 54th of her worldwide profession.
Girelli, who additionally play for Juventus, modified the tone of the match virtually instantly when she subbed in.
“It was amazing, because, yes, we were looking for the goal for all the second half. We were trying. I think we played a good match in the second half and fortunately Cristiana put her head on the ball and scored,” stated Italy’s captain Barbara Bonansea.
UP NEXT
Sweden defeated South Africa 2-1 on Sunday to kick off Group G play on the event, co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. Sweden now sits atop the group with a pair of objectives in comparison with Italy’s one.
Group G performs all of its matches in New Zealand. Argentina subsequent faces South Africa on Friday in Dunedin, whereas Italy performs Sweden in Wellington on Saturday.
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