A late equaliser, thrills and plenty of desire to celebrate an important result together with the 4700 fans who filled the stands at the Stadio Menti. In Vicenza, Italy came away with a 1-1 draw against reigning world champions Spain, who took the lead with four minutes to go. However, the Azzurre responded brilliantly, equalising just two minutes later through a perfect Beccari header. Giuliani was called into action several times in the first hour of play, but Italy grew following Dragoni’s introduction, hitting the woodwork through Boattin and also coming close through Bergamaschi and Giugliano. The draw was very much deserved, and the team continue to grow unabated.

“It was a brilliant evening,” said the Head Coach in his post-match press conference. “The girls implemented the principles that we’ve been working on for months. We showed great mentality and self-awareness. We defended well, attacked our opponents and could have also won. This group has great chemistry, which allows us to stay in matches for as long as we still have a chance. The crowd spurred us on, and I’m happy with the deserved ovation that the group received.”

THE MATCH. For the team’s penultimate match of the year, Soncin sent the team out with three at the back, just like he did four days ago against Malta and in the Azzurre’s last two meetings with Spain. Giuliani was selected between the sticks and thus made her 90th appearance ten years on from her debut against Spain in the very same stadium. Joining Lenzini in defence were Di Guglielmo and captain Linari, who scored the third and decisive goal on that magical evening in Pontevedra last year. Caruso and Giugliano, who finished 27th in the Women’s Ballon d’Or ranking (the first Italian nominee for the award), lined up in front of the backline, with Bergamaschi and Boattin down the flanks. The team’s attack consisted of Cantore, Giacinti and Bonansea.

Bonmatí, who was presented with her second consecutive Ballon d’Or yesterday, wasn’t in the Spain line-up. Tomé also had to make do without Caldentey, who was also in Paris after finishing third in the ranking. However, the Spain Head Coach could count on the likes of Amaiur and Garcia, who undoubtedly posed a threat to the Azzurre backline. Hermoso and Putellas were named on the bench.

Spain started brightly and attacked Italy’s goal in the early stages, but the Azzurre, who defended with five at the back, stood firm. In the 32nd minute, Giuliani produced an excellent save, turning a low Garcia strike behind for a corner. Spain were making use of the flanks, while Italy were looking to get the ball in behind the visiting defence quickly. The Azzurre often managed to escape the first opposition press, but Coll remained untroubled in the opening 45 minutes.

Dragoni came on for Bonansea at half-time, shortly after which Caruso and Cantore made way for Greggi and Cambiaghi. And it was the Inter striker who had a chance to make it 1-0, but Codina did well to get in the way of the No.21’s effort. Moments of class from Dragoni allowed the Azzurre to push up the pitch, particularly after the 65-minute mark. Spurred on by their home supporters, Italy missed at least three chances to score. Bergamaschi shot off target from outside the box, while Boattin then cut inside and let fly with a fine effort that hit the bar and then the post before bouncing back into play. Just moments later, the ball arrived at the feet of Giugliano, whose curling shot was tipped behind for a corner by Coll.

Not long after, Giuliani produced a brilliant stop to prevent Linari from scoring an own goal, even if Spain thought it had crossed the line. Five minutes before the end, Spain took the lead as a shot from Redondo deflected off the Italy captain and looped over Giuliani and into the net. Soncin’s girls immediately went back on the attack and found an equaliser shortly afterwards: Giugliano sent in a corner that was met by the head of Beccari, who celebrated her second Italy goal together with the rest of the group, the bench included. Together as one towards a single objective. Now, the Azzurre’s thoughts will turn to their final match of the year against Germany on Bochum on 2 December. There will be time to focus on the Nations League and EURO 2025.

ITALY 1-1 SPAIN

Italy (3-4-3): Giuliani; Di Guglielmo, Lenzini (65’ Piga), Linari; Bergamaschi, Caruso (54’ Greggi), Giugliano, Boattin (71’ Soffia); Cantore (54’ Cambiaghi), Giacinti (65’ Beccari), Bonansea (46’ Dragoni). Substitutes: Durante, Shore, Filangeri, Oliviero, Severini, Schatzer, Glionna, Goldoni, Girelli. Head Coach: Soncin

Spain (4-3-3): Coll; Sheila, Mendez, Codina (75’ Fernandez), Olga (68’ Battle); Guijarro (56’ Putellas), Abelleira (75’ Jimenez), Lopez Serrano; Amaiur (56’ Del Castillo), Martin-Prieto (67’ Redondo), Garcia. Substitutes: Sullastres, Nanclares, Hermoso, Ouahabi, Lloris. Head Coach: Tomé

Goalscorers: 86’ Redondo (S), 88’ Beccari (I)

Referee: Wildfeuer (Ger). Assistants: Joos (Ger) and Matysiak (Ger). Fourth official: Frazza (Ita).

Notes: Di Guglielmo (I) and Codina (S) booked. Attendance: 4700