Comeback completed and mission accomplished. Italy celebrated at the Tardini in Parma with the fans following victory over Switzerland, and securing second spot in the Nations League group thanks to Sweden's defeat in Spain (5-3 in Malaga). Despite the level of opposition, the team always believed in their aims, finishing off by beating the World Cup winners on home soil and tonight’s three-goal show, with Giugliano scoring in the first half and Salvai and Caruso sealing the deal in the second.

The team jumped above the Scandinavians and will remain in League A of the competition without having to play a relegation play-off. In April, qualification for Euro 2025 will begin, but for now it is time to celebrate this new era and an almost perfect second half of 2023 for Soncin's side.

“Outstanding Azzurre!" said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina following the win over the Swiss. "Second place in a tough group, with Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, represents something very special in this new start in re-building the Women's National side and huge credit goes to the head coach, Soncin. Well done to the girls and all the staff for this great achievement, which allows us to prepare for European qualification with a strong belief.”

“An indescribable feeling," the head coach said afterwards. "These great performances show what enormous potential there is in this squad. I believed in our venture from when I first met the players. With them, there's an exchange of strong continued emotion that only Italy can provide. They fought, showed great pride and devotion to the shirt. We'd like to thank Parma for the warm welcome and atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. One of our objectives is to bring back enthusiasm around this team."

The match. The Head Coach abandoned the more conservative formation used in Pontevedra and went back to the classic 4-3-3. Three changes were made to the starting line-up from the special night in Spain a few days ago. With Lenzini sidelined due to a muscle injury, Linari (captain) found Salvai as her central defensive partner, who had not started a game since the last game at the World Cup. In midfield, Greggi returned to the fold, while up front, together with certainties Giacinti and Cambiaghi, there was Cantore. Switzerland lined up with a traditional 4-3-3, with new head Coach, Gertshen, selecting Lehmann, Crnogorcevic and Bachmann in attack.

The Azzurre had to win and showed their intent from the off, pushing strongly down the flanks and collecting four corners in as many minutes of play. The 3,500-strong crowd at the Tardini in Parma warmed to the home side's start, immediately getting behind the team chanting ‘Italia, Italia’. The Azzurre pegged their opponents back and continued to attack relentlessly. But Switzerland finally came into the game with a double chance on 18 minutes: from a corner, Calligaris and Crnogorcevic's efforts were brilliantly saved by Giuliani. From AC Milan's important contribution to Giugliano's wonder goal, who on the half-hour mark found her ninth goal for the National team: the Roma midfielder making the most of Cantore's perfect assist and firing past Herzog on the volley.

As against Spain, Italy came back out after the break all guns blazing and inside two minutes of the restart had doubled their lead. This time, it was Salvai in on the act, who hadn't scored since February 2021 (against Israel) in Euro 2022 qualifying. It was a perfect birthday present for the Juventus defender, who celebrated turning 30 on Saturday with an easy tap-in following Herzog's miraculous stop from a close-range Cambiaghi header. The group hug with Soncin and Schiavi was perfect evidence of a group that is united, proactive and conscious of its strengths.

With the result more or less in the bag, the head coach decided to send on Galli, Beccari and Piemonte, letting Giugliano, Giacinti and Cambiaghi receive a deserved standing ovation. In the 73rd minute, Switzerland worried Giuliani again, who did well to keep out the Swiss once more, making up for a small error previously. Just over ten minutes later, Caruso grabbed a third, as news came through of Spain's equaliser, with a left-footed strike from the edge of the six-yard box, her 14th in National colours.

In the closing stages, also Gama came on – applauded by all those present at the stadium – and Bonfantini, and the positive scoreline from Spain sparked early celebratory scenes before the final whistle was blown. With two massive wins in their last two group games, the Women's National team leapfrogged Sweden (top of the FIFA rankings) to finish in second place and remain in League A of the Nations League. It's a historic achievement for a team that is back exciting fans and itself. 

ITALY 3-0 SWITZERLAND (1-0 ht)

Goals: 30’ Giugliano, 47’ Salvai, 85’ Caruso

ITALY (4-3-3): Giuliani; Di Guglielmo (88’ Gama), Salvai, Linari, Boattin; Caruso, Giugliano (66’ Galli), Greggi; Cantore (88’ Bonfantini), Cambiaghi (66’ Piemonte), Giacinti (58’ Beccari). Unused subs: Schroffenegger, Baldi, Bergamaschi, Orsi, Dragoni, Severini, Serturini. Head Coach: Andrea Soncin
SWITZERLAND (4-3-3): Herzog; Maritz, Calligaris, Stierli, Aigbogun (85’ Touon); Reuteler (58’ Mauron), Walti, Sow (74’ Vallotto); Lehmann (58’ Pilgrim), Crnogorcevic (85’ Bachmann), Bachmann. Unused subs: Schneider, Peng, Felber, Xhemaili, Buhler, Piubel. Head Coach: Reto Gertshen

Referee: Volha Blotskaya (BLR). Assistants: Nastassia Danchanka (BLR) and Valiantsina Sakalovich (BLR). Fourth official: Hanna Nalivaika (BLR).

UEFA WOMEN’S NATIONS LEAGUE – LEAGUE A, GROUP 4

Tuesday 5 December

ITALY 3-0 Switzerland
Spain 5-3 Sweden

Standings (after matchday 5): Spain 15, ITALY 10, Sweden 7, Switzerland 3