Belgium continue to hurt Italy. In Milton Keynes, in the opening match of the 'Arnold Clark Cup', the National women's team was defeated 2-1, with Wullaert's winning goal coming in the last minute of the 90. After knocking out the Azzurre from the last European Championships, Milena Bertolini's team did not manage to have their revenge, instead suffering their fourth consecutive defeat. Manuela Giugliano's equalizing goal came to nothing in the end. On Sunday, Italy play their second game in Coventry against the European champions and hosts, England.

"We didn't deserve to lose," Bertolini said after the match. "I think the fair result would have been a draw. We weren’t good enough in the first half, but then in the second half we had a better attitude, more determined, and we controlled the match: for this reason, we are annoyed to have ended up losing. This tournament, however, is useful for us to prepare better for the World Cup, and to do this we are trying out new solutions and young players".  

The match - As happened a year ago at the Algarve Cup, Milena Bertolini took advantage of the first match of the year to play some younger players and give a chance to those who have played less so far. Schroffenegger was in goal and in front of her Orsi returned after a knee injury, completing the back line alongside Lenzini, Linari and Boattin. There was a midfield three of Rosucci, Greggi and Caruso, and up top was the trio of Cantore, Piemonte and Catena, making her debut in the senior national team.

Italy wanted to turn over a new leaf after their struggles at the end of 2022 and the first few minutes of the game showed this. After just one minute, Cantore beat a couple of players on the right wing and found Piemonte in the middle, but the striker's effort was blocked by Cayman. In the 16th minute, on the first real chance of the game, the Red Flames took the lead through Detruyer (first goal for the national team for the 19-year-old Leuven midfielder), who managed to get on the end of De Caigny's perfect through ball - who punished the Azzurre in the match at Euro 2022 - and beat Schroffenegger to make it 1-0. Milena Bertolini's side did not give up and continued to attack, without, however, finding the necessary cutting edge in front of goal. In the 27th minute, Catena found Caruso who, from the edge of the area, fired a shot that Evrard's did very well to keep out. Shortly before the interval Italy had another great chance, but Boattin was snuffed out after good work from Rosucci, Cantore and Piemonte.

The second half began with Greggi's effort, but she failed to score, serving as a warning to the Belgian defence. The speed of the Azzurre's passing began to cause difficulties for Serneels’ players, who looked surprised by the new impetus shown by Italy. On the hour mark, Giallorosse players Giugliano and Giacinti came on in place of Caruso and Catena, and a couple of minutes later it was Giugliano who continued her excellent form and found the equaliser with a shot from the edge of the area. The noise for the goal from the many fans present at the MK Stadium was surpassed when Girelli subsequently came on, making her 100th appearance for the Azzurre. Ten minutes from the end, Barbara Bonansea also came on, and it was Schroffenegger who saved Italy with a miraculous diving save from the header of Eurlings, also a sub. In the 90th minute, the blow came: Wullaert slipped between Linari and Salvai and her diagonal shot found the corner. Italy looked to level the game again, but the result stayed the same.

ITALY 1-2 BELGIUM (0-1 HT)
Goals: 16’ Detruyer (B), 64’ Giugliano (I), 90' Wullaert (B)
ITALY (4-3-3): Schroffenegger; Orsi (67’ Salvai), Lenzini, Linari, Boattin; Greggi, Rosucci, Caruso (59’ Giugliano); Catena (59’ Giacinti), Piemonte (66’ Girelli), Cantore (80' Bonansea). Subs: Baldi, Giuliani, Bergamaschi, Cafferata, Filangeri, Severini, Galli, Bonfantini, Polli, Serturini. Coach: Milena Bertolini.
BELGIUM (4-3-3): Evrard; Cayman, De Neve, Kees (62’ Wullaert), Meersman (78' Deloose); Vanhaevermaet, Detruyer (62’ Missipo), Biesmans; De Caigny (62’ Delacauw), Dhont (78' Eurlings), Janssens (78' Wijnants). Subs: Lemey, Bastiaen, Philtjens, Van Kerkhoven, Colson, Vangheluwe, Fon, Ampoorter. Coach: Ives Serneels
Referee: Ewa Augustyn (POL). Assistenti: Alexandra Ulanowska (POL) e Julia Bukarowicz (POL). Quarto ufficiale: Lizzy van der Helm (NED).
Bookings: Biesmans, Rosucci, Giacinti, Bonansea