They believed they could do it, and they did it. In Thun, Italy Women beat Switzerland 1-0 to move top of Group G and take a giant step towards the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Girelli scored with an 83rd-minute free kick to send the team into raptures, and this delight was shared by the all the Azzurre fans watching the match back home too.

“We had to dig in,” said Milena Bertolini. “The girls did really well because they were fully focused until the very end. As I asked before the game, they fought hard and had confidence in their abilities. I’d like to compliment the whole team because they deserved these three points. We’ve taken a giant step forward and now everything depends on us. This victory is important for the whole of the women’s game and this extraordinary group of footballers. They gave everything to have the chance to be involved in another World Cup.”

The Azzurre will secure their spot at the tournament if they win their last two group matches against Moldova and Romania on 2 and 6 September, respectively. Before then, there’s the rather important matter of this summer’s European Championship in England, which will get underway on 6 July at Old Trafford. The hope is another summer of magical nights is in store. There will be time to think about what lies ahead, but right now the team should simply enjoy the moment.

The match – For the Azzurre’s most important encounter of their 2023 World Cup qualifying journey, Milena Bertolini stuck with the team’s usual 4-3-3 formation but made two changes to the side that started against Lithuania four days ago: Bartoli came in for Bergamaschi, while Galli took Rosucci’s place in midfield. Lining up in the centre of the park, Giugliano was tasked with providing balls forward for the front trio consisting of Cernoia, Bonansea and Girelli. Swiss Head Coach Nils Nielsen had Bachmann back at his disposal (she missed the disappointing 1-1 draw with Romania), while Reuteler was preferred to the talented but inexperienced Folmli.

Knowing what was at stake, it was a slow start to proceedings, with both teams avoiding taking risks. Bonansea threatened on the four-minute mark, when Kiwic made a last-ditch intervention to stop her in her tracks. 30 seconds later, Cernoia’s cross-shot called Thalmann into action. At the other end, a dangerous Swiss move was halted due to Bachmann being in an offside position. The 6,000-strong crowd at the Stockhord Arena were trying to spur Switzerland on, and the hosts almost took the lead in the 21st minute: Barcelona’s Crnogorčević, with 65 international goals to her name (the highest in her country’s history), let fly from the edge of the box, but Giuliani made a diving save. As the minutes ticked by, the tempo increased and more space opened up, something which benefitted the most technical players on the pitch. One such player was Giugliano, who, in the 35th minute, found Galli with a precise pass over the top, but the Everton midfielder’s ball for Girelli was somehow cleared by the Swiss defence.

Italy were starting to control things, and this continued in the second half, with the home side content to sit back and try to cut off the Azzurre’s passing lanes. Girelli could have made it 1-0 after 59 minutes, but she had the ball taken off her toes just as she was about to shoot. Cernoia made way for Bergamaschi, and the AC Milan captain immediately started to work effectively with Bartoli down the right flank, causing Switzerland problems. The finishing touch was missing, however, which is why the Head Coach also replaced Caruso with Sabatino and added physicality by sending on Rosucci for Giugliano.

The Azzurre laid siege on the Swiss goal in the closing stages, and they were rewarded for their courage and determination when the tireless Girelli found the net (her 53rd Italy goal) with a free kick that took a slight deflection off the wall to leave Thalmann with no chance. Scenes of unbridled joy followed for a group that has bounced back to move within touching distance of the 2023 World Cup in Australia in New Zealand.  

SWITZERLAND 0-1 ITALY

GOAL: 83’  Girelli

SWITZERLAND (4-2-3-1): Thalmann; Maritz, Buhler, Kiwic, Aigbogun; Wälti, Sow (76’ Stierli); Bachmann, Xhemaili (64’ Maendly), Reuteler (46’ Folmli); Crnogorčević. Subs: Friedli, Peng, Mégroz, Rinast, Calligaris, Touon, Folmli, Humm, Mauron, Lehmann. Head Coach: Nielsen

ITALY (4-3-3): Giuliani; Bartoli, Gama, Linari, Boattin; Galli, Giugliano (76’ Rosucci), Caruso (76’ Sabatino); Carnoia (60’ Bergamaschi), Girelli, Bonansea 89’ Lenzini). Subs: Durante, Schroffenegger, Di Guglielmo, Filangeri, Greggi, Bonetti, Piemonte, Serturini. Head Coach: Bertolini

REFEREE: Welch (ENG). Assistants: Aspinall (ENG) and Rashid (ENG). Fourth Official: Benn (ENG)

NOTE: Bachmann, Folmli, Giugliano booked