Italy were heavily beaten by Sweden in their second game at the 2023 World Cup. The Blågult hit five unanswered goals past the Azzurre (three from a corner) to go top of Group G. For Italy, it will all come down to Wednesday’s game against South Africa (9:00 CEST).

The youngsters Beccari, Cantore and Dragoni were given the nod to start at Wellington’s Regional Stadium, with Giacinti and Girelli both on the bench. Milena Bertolini’s XI today actually had the youngest average age (25 years and 129 days) that Italy have ever fielded at a Women’s World Cup. The selections seemed to have paid off in the opening stages as the Azzurre created the first chance of the game in the first minute of the game, with Sofia Cantore firing straight at Musovic. In the third minute, Giugliano won a corner, following which Caruso fired over. The Azzurre were moving the ball around well and initially looked solid at the back. Musovic was forced into another stop in the 11th minute, this time to deny Boattin, before Italy spurned a double chance through Cantore and then Di Guglielmo (17’); Sweden’s keeper failed to hold the first effort, then the Roma forward fired into the side netting on the rebound.

Gerhardsson’s side ground through the gears and grew into the match after half an hour played. Rolfö caused the first scare for the Azzurre as her long-range effort was deflected behind for a corner.  The Barcelona forward continued to cause issues, as did Arsenal’s Blackstenius, who sent an inviting ball into the box though none of her teammates could get on the end of it. Sweden’s high press was working and, in the 39th minute, it forced the corner, from which they opened the scoring. Ilestedt roses highest to meet Andersson’s corner, heading it backward over the onrushing Durante. Three minutes later, the Azzurre’s keeper was forced into a great save to deny Blackstenius following a misjudged backpass by Di Guglielmo. But the Swedes did get their second, from another corner. Andersson’s ball in dropped to Rolfö, who turned it home. Italy’s defence was on the ropes and Sweden took advantage: Kaneryd’s ball across the face of goal found Blackstenius for the tap in. After a promising start, the Azzurre found themselves three-nil down at half time.

The second half began as the first ended: Rolfö’s shot was deflected behind for another corner, from which Sweden and Ilestedt, who was dominant in the air all game long, scored another goal. Bertolini shuffled the pack, sending on Greggi, Lenzini and Serturini for Dragoni, Di Guglielmo and Bonansea, but the Scandinavians were in full control. The pace of the game slowed and the Azzurre struggled to work their way back into the game. Their attacking forays, even with the substitutes on the pitch, were lethargic and predictable. Italy’s clearest chance came in the 89th minute: Cantore found Giacinti, who had replaced Beccari in the 75th minute, but the Roma striker’s shot whistled over the crossbar. Blomqvist, however, made no mistakes as she broke away from the Italy defence and coolly slotted it home. Full time in Wellington.

It was a horror show for Bertolini’s Italy, who for the first time in history concede four goals in a single World Cup match. Sweden now have command of Group G on six points; the Azzurre are second on three, while South Africa and Argentina are level on one. It all comes down to the final matchday in the group, which sees Italy take on South Africa on Wednesday.

 

MATCH DETAILS: SWEDEN 5-0 ITALY

GOALS: 39’ Ilestedt (SVE), 44’ Rolfö (SVE), 45’+1’ Blackstenius (SVE), 50’ Ilestedt (SVE), 95' Blomqvist (SVE)

SWEDEN (4-2-3-1): Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldahl, Rubensson (75’ Seger); Kaneryd (75’ Jakobsson), Asllani (62’ Janogy), Rolfö (62’ Schough); Blackstenius (89’ Blomqvist). All: Peter Gerhardsson.

ITALY (4-3-3): Durante; Di Guglielmo (59’ Lenzini), Linari, Salvai, Boattin; Dragoni (59’ Greggi), Giugliano, Caruso (71’ Cernoia); Cantore, Beccari (75’ Giacinti), Bonansea (59’ Serturini). All. Milena Bertolini.

REFEREE: Cheryl Foster (ENG)

ASSISTANTS: Michelle O’Neil (IE), Franca Overtoom (NL); 4th Official Myriam Marcotte (CAN).

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