100 days before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Italy recorded a 2-1 victory over Colombia at the Tre Fontane in Rome thanks to Valentina Giacinti’s finish and an own goal from Monica Ramos. In between, Catalina Usme converted a penalty for the visitors. It was the Azzurre’s second consecutive win after previously beating South Korea in the Arnold Clark Cup, results which will only boost the team’s confidence ahead of the tournament this summer.

“We’ll be involved in games like this at the World Cup: the girls did well to keep their heads in the game; at times, it was more of a fight than a match,” said Milena Bertolini. “However, football is also this. It’ll be difficult to choose the 23 players who will make up the World Cup squad because the girls are good, and our youngsters are also doing well. My choices will depend on the girls’ readiness, their attitude and enthusiasm, as well as their willingness to make themselves available to achieve our aims.”

The match – Bertolini handed Matilde Pavan and Chiara Beccari debut starts, and they joined the other Azzurre players in having their photo taken with the No.8 shirt of the injured Martina Rosucci, who provided commentary for the live stream on figc.it today. Before the match, Cristiana Girelli was recognised for reaching the milestone of 100 Italy appearances, receiving an award from FIGC General Secretary Marco Brunelli and Delegation Head Stefano Braghin. Colombia made a bright start, with Caicedo testing Durante after just a few seconds. The South Americans had another chance in the eighth minute as the Inter goalkeeper pushed Ramirez’s long-range strike over the bar. Italy then took the lead with their first real opportunity (14’). It was a goal that involved the debutants: Pavan recovered possession and found Beccari, who provided the assist for Giacinti to coolly beat Colombia shot-stopper Catalina Perez, a former Fiorentina and Napoli player. The Colombians continued to play aggressively but afforded space for Italy to counter, like in the 34th minute, when Giacinti, who had been picked out in behind by Giugliano, was denied by Perez.

Colombia made two changes at half-time (Chacon and Vanegas both entered the fray), while Girelli replaced Caruso for the Azzurre. Chacon and Bahr came close for Abadia in a match that became increasingly battle-like as the minutes ticked by. The final stages only became more tense for Italy, who had brought on Bonansea and Bergamaschi, when Colombia were awarded a penalty for a foul by Salvai on Chacon. Usme stepped up and fired past Durante (77’), who did well to foil Caicedo a few minutes later.

After Salvai had almost restored Italy’s advantage with a right-footed from the edge of the area (80’), the Azzurre got themselves back in front thanks to a great bit of work by Bonansea, who, from the left, played in the ball that Ramos diverted into her own net (82’). Bonansea could have sealed it on the 86-minute mark but, after some more good dribbling, shot narrowly wide. At the other end, Durante made a truly exceptional save to keep out Ramirez’s right-footed strike that was heading into the top corner. It was a stop that ensured victory for Italy, who almost made it 3-1 through Piemonte from Bonansea’s cross in added time.

ITALY 2-1 COLOMBIA

GOALSCORERS: 14' Giacinti (I), 77’ pen. Usme (C), 82’ Ramos og (C)

ITALY (4-3-3): Durante; Lenzini, Linari, Salvai, Di Guglielmo (85’ Boattin); Caruso (46’ Girelli), Giugliano, Pavan; Cantore (85’ Piemonte), Giacinti (60’ Bonansea), Beccari (75’ Bergamaschi). Substitutes: Giuliani, Baldi, Gama, Filangeri, Bartoli, Serturini, Glionna, Cernoia, Catena, Orsi. Head Coach: Bertolini
COLOMBIA (4-2-3-1): Perez; Guzman (89’ C. Arias), Carabali (46’ Vanegas), D. Arias, Ramos; Montoya (46’ Chacon); Bedoya (89’ Restrepo); Bahr (61’ Ospina), Usme, Caicedo; Ramirez. Substitutes: Sepulveda, Tapia, Caracas, Reyes, Andrade, Cuesta, Guerra. Head Coach: Abadia

REFEREE: Stavrou (Cyprus) (Irodotou-Athanasopoulou, IV Bianchi)
NOTE:  Caruso (I), Arias (C), Ramirez (C), Bonansea (I) all booked