A victory was needed at all costs, and despite their struggles, the Azzurre were able to come out on top and stop a rot of five straight defeats. An early goal by Caruso and one at the death - in the 94th minute - from Rosucci gave Italy a 2-1 victory over South Korea in their final game of the Arnold Clark Cup, providing a much-needed confidence boost as the World Cup draws ever nearer. It wasn't a classic display from Milena Bertolini's side, above all in the period following the equaliser, but a never-say-die attitude brought its rewards, finding the winner deep into stoppage-time, to lift a group of players that are ready to impress once again.

“We controlled the entire first half and most of the second,"said the Head Coach, "then we made an error and psychologically lost our way a little, with Korea creating some chances. We've worked a lot on the mental side of the game with the girls during this competition and I'm satisfied with what we've done; we've got better game after game. During the most difficult spell in the game, our most experienced players gave us a massive helping hand to the team, so I must congratulate them as, of course, I do the whole group."

The match – As she had expressed on the eve of the game, Milena Bertolini gave minutes to those players who who had so far been given little game time. Making her debut in goal was Baldi, in defence there was a return to the starting line-up for Filangeri, while the midfield had a strong Rome influence with Caruso, Greggi and Giugliano. Instead, the front three consisted of the trio Cantore, Serturini and Giacinti, with the latter being the central focal point.

Bertolini had called on her girls to go out with the right competitive spirit and determination. No sooner said than done. The Azzurre had the wind in their sails and inside five minutes were already 1-0 up thanks to Caruso. The Juventus midfielder met Serturini's cross to head home her tenth goal for the national team, making the most of a deflection that took out most of the Korean defence, including the keeper. After that, rain feel heavily and impeded the rhythm of the game in Bristol, but Italy dominated play and never allowed Bell's side to threaten going forward. The first half ended with a rainbow glowing over the Ashton Gate Stadium, giving the players the chance to shine after the break with more intensity.

Orsi replaced Lenzini at half-time and it was the Sassuolo defender who started a move off that saw Caruso's shot on goal cleared off the line by Kim, before Giacinti's effort across goal went just wide of the far post. After 56’, the Roma forward made way for Catena, who occupied the left side of the front three, with Cantore moving more central. The changes failed to have the desired effect, though, and South Korea got more of a foothold in the game and started to look more dangerous going forward. The wet surface caused Baldi and Filangeri to misjudge a simple defensive pass, allowing veteran striker Ji (142 caps, 65 goals) to slip in and stroke home nicely to level the score up.

Italy felt the blow and looked to have lost control of the game. After an incredible flying block off the line by Rosucci, who had come on for Greggi earlier, and with the introduction of Girelli, the game swayed in the Azzurre's favour. And in stoppage-time, at the death, it was Rosucci who was in the thick of the action again with a timely tap-in at the back post, after Bonansea's cross in, banishing the ghosts from this recent, tricky period. Italy finally back to winning ways and they can now shift their focus with optimism towards the World Cup Finals in Australia and New Zealand.

SOUTH KOREA 1-2 ITALY (0-1 ht)
Goals: 5’ Caruso (I), 70’ Ji (K), 94’ Rosucci (I)

SOUTH KOREA (4-5-1): Kim; Kim, Son, Lim, Jang, Choe; Lee, Kang (46’ Shim), Choo, Ji; Kim. Subs: Yoon, Kim, Ryu, Hong, Jang, Kim, Jang, Chun, Bae, Lee, Park, Lee, Park, Jang, Ko. Coach: Colin Bell

ITALY (4-3-3): Baldi; Bergamaschi, Filangeri, Linari, Lenzini (46’ Orsi); Caruso, Giugliano (85’ Girelli), Greggi (65’ Rosucci); Cantore, Giacinti, Serturini (65’ Bonansea). Subs: Giuliani, Schroffenegger, Boattin, Cafferata, Salvai, Galli, Severini, Bonfantini, Catena, Piemonte, Polli. Coach: Milena Bertolini.

Referee: Andreza Ferreira (BRA). Assistants: Fabrini Bevilaqua Costa (BRA) and Brigida Cirilo Ferreira (BRA). Fourth official: Ainara Acevedo Dudley (SPA).

Notes: booking Choe

ARNOLD CLARK CUP SCHEDULE

Matchday 1 - Milton Keynes, Thursday 16 February
Italy 1-2 Belgium
England 4-0 South Korea

Matchday 2 - Coventry, Sunday 19 February
England 2-1 Italy
Belgium 2-1 South Korea

Matchday 3 - Bristol, Wednesday 22 February
South Korea 1-2 Italy
England 6-1 Belgium

Table: England 9 points, Belgium 6, Italy 3, South Korea 0