Italy displayed real bravery and a spirit of sacrifice but fell just short against the world champions, who, thanks to a late goal from Hermoso, ran out 1-0 winners in Salerno. The result in Nations League Group 4, which Spain lead on maximum points, doesn’t erase the efforts of Andrea Soncin’s side, who gave everything and deserved a different outcome. On Tuesday (18:30 CET kick-off), the Azzurre will have the chance to bounce back against Sweden in Malmö, where they’ll need to show the same belief to be in with a shot of coming away with a good result against the No.1 side in the FIFA ranking.

“The girls really should be applauded because they showed tremendous heart,” said the Head Coach. “They deserved to celebrate something. We had a go and wanted it, but, unfortunately, it didn’t happen for us. These matches allow us to look to the future with real confidence and optimism. The girls displayed fantastic spirit, and this needs to be the foundation as we head into our next fixtures, starting from the Sweden game.”

The match. Andrea Soncin made five changes to the side that started against Sweden in Castel di Sangro. Bartoli and Boattin returned to the line-up as part of a back five that also included Linari, Lenzini and Di Guglielmo. Galli and Caruso lined up in the middle of the park, while Bonfantini, Bonansea and Girelli (the latter of whom wore the captain’s armband) aimed to provide an attacking threat. Due to a minor muscle problem, Gama watched the game from the stands. Spain’s side, meanwhile, contained Putellas and Bonmatí, the 2022/23 Champions League Player of the Season and World Cup Golden Ball winner. Meanwhile, Hermoso and Paralluelo, who earned the Best Young Player Award for her performances at the World Cup, started on the bench. In the team’s traditional 4-3-3 formation, Garcia, Gonzalez and Caldentey were selected in attack.

Spain made a very bright started, creating three chances in the first ten minutes. The most dangerous effort came from Bonmatí, who weaved her way to the edge of the box before letting fly with a left-footed shot that Giuliani turned behind for a corner. The same player threatened again moments later, getting away from her marker with a lovely touch and seeing her strike blocked by the Azzurre defence. At the other end, Linari got on the end of a Caruso corner but was thwarted by Coll in the eleventh minute. Having survived the early pressure, Italy started to put more moves together while, at the same time, keeping Tomè’s side at bay. The teams headed into the break on level terms.

In front of 4700 fans at the Stadio Arechi, the second half started with two changes from Tomè in attack as Paralluello and del Castillo replaced Garcia and Gonzalez. And the 19-year-old Barcelona striker immediately wasted a big chance in the 48th minute, failing to find the target from close range. For Spain, Carmona, who decided the World Cup final against England two months ago, was in the heart of the action and causing Soncin’s side problems. The Head Coach sent on Glionna in the 61st minute, but the Spaniards continued to attack and, following the introduction of Hermoso, almost took the lead minute through a header from former AC Milan player Codina.

In an attempt to resist Spain’s pressure, Greggi, Bergamaschi and Cambiaghi (her debut) entered the fray and looked to help their teammates in the closing stages of a match where the group had been organised and courageous. Just as it looked like Italy were going to come away with a point, the visitors struck a late blow: Putellas forced Giuliani into another brilliant stop, but, on the rebound, Hermoso fired home to make it 1-0 in the 89th minute. With time almost up, Giacinti had a big chance to make it 1-1, but her attempt was too close to the goalkeeper. The Azzurre left the pitch to big applause, and it was very much deserved after another strong display.

ITALY 0-1 SPAIN

Goalscorer: 89’ Hermoso

ITALY (5-4-1): Giuliani; Bartoli (90' Giacinti), Lenzini, Linari, Boattin; Di Guglielmo, Galli (72’ Bergamaschi), Caruso, Bonansea (72’ Cambiaghi); Bonfantini (dal 61’ Glionna), Girelli (72’ Greggi). Substitutes: Baldi, Schroffenegger, Tortelli, Salvai, Dragoni, Giugliano, Tomaselli. Head Coach: Andrea Soncin

SPAIN: Coll; Battle, Codina, Aleixandri, Carmona (79’ Hernandez); Bonmatí, Abelleira (92’ Gabarro), Putellas; Garcia (46’ del Castillo), Gonzalez (46’ Paralluelo), Caldentey (68’ Hermoso). A disp: Rodriguez, Lete, Andres, Sarriegi, Oroz, Mendez, Torroda. Head Coach: Montse Tomè

Referee: Alina Pesu (ROU). Assistants: Daniela Constantinescu (ROU) and Mihaela Tepusa (ROU). Fourth official: Cristina Trandafir (ROU).

Note: Abelleira booked.

League A, Group 4: results, fixtures and table

Matchday 1 (22 September): Switzerland 0-1 ITALY, Sweden 2-3 Spain

Matchday 2 (26 September): ITALY 0-1 Sweden, Spain 5-0 Switzerland

Matchday 3 (27 October): ITALY 0-1 Spain, Sweden 1-0 Switzerland

Table: Spain 9, Sweden 6, ITALY 3, Switzerland 0.

Matchday 4 (31 October): 18:30 CET – Sweden vs. Italy (Malmö); 19:00 CET – Switzerland vs. Spain (Zurich)

Matchday 5 (Friday 1 December):  21:30 CET – Spain vs. ITALY, Estadio Municipal de Pasarón, Pontevedra; 20:00 CET – Switzerland vs. Sweden, Luzern Arena, Lucerne

Matchday 6 (Tuesday 5 December): Spain vs. Sweden, Estadio La Rosaleda, Málaga; ITALY vs. Switzerland, Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma