Italy Women resumed their World Cup qualifying journey with another convincing victory this evening. At the Tardini in Parma, the Azzurre ran out 7-0 winners over Lithuania, much to the delight of the 2500 or so fans in attendance. They witnessed plenty of goals, entertainment and great pieces of play as Milena Bertolini’s girls dominated proceedings from the off. After Caruso had given Italy the lead with a minute gone, the team didn’t look back. The Bianconere midfielder went on to bag a brace, as did Bergamaschi. There were also goals from Cernoia, who produced a truly inspired performance, as well as Sabatino and Bonetti, both of whom had come on as substitutes.

This was an important result, especially as Switzerland were unexpectedly held to a 1-1 draw by Romania. In order to go top of Group G, Bertolini’s side now only need to win by a single goal against the Swiss on Tuesday as they look to take a giant step towards automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“The girls were fantastic,” said the Head Coach. “We started the game really well, although we then perhaps got caught in the trap of thinking everything was too easy. However, I’m happy because, in the second half, I once again saw the attitude with which we originally took to the pitch. Switzerland’s result is important, but we’re aware that only one result will do on Tuesday. We know how significant the match is, and we want to win for both ourselves and for the benefit of the women’s game as a whole.”  

THE MATCH. The Head Coach once again went with a back four, with Bergamaschi and Boattin playing either side of the centre-back partnership of Gama and Linari. Rosucci was selected in midfield alongside Giugliano and Caruso, while the team’s attack consisted of Bianconere trio Cernoia, Bonansea and Girelli. There was initially the fear that the strong winds at the Tardini could negatively impact Italy’s passing, but this vanished with just a minute gone as Cernoia picked out Caruso, who entered the box and made it 1-0.

Although they’d fallen behind, Lithuania didn’t change their tactical plan, continuing to sit deep and defend. Italy, who were untroubled at the back, were struggling to break through the Lithuanian wall that had been erected. Rosucci thus decided to have a go from distance, but her effort hit the post with the opposition goalkeeper beaten. However, the fans in the stands were able to celebrate two further goals before the half-time whistle. First, Bergamaschi doubled the Azzurre’s advantage following a move that also saw Girelli and Cernoia involved; then, in added time, Cernoia provided another assist for Caruso, who bagged her fifth Italy goal.

The news about Switzerland’s draw in Romania gave the Azzurre a further boost, with Bertolini’s side playing with even more energy after the restart. With Tuesday’s clash in mind, the Head Coach decided to give captain Gama a bit of rest (she was replaced by Bartoli at half-time), while Girelli and Bonansea were also replaced by Sabatino and Bonetti. Giuliani was tested for the first time on the 55-minute mark, but, five minutes later, Cernoia took centre stage again, finding the net with a sublime free kick from the edge of the area. In the closing stages, with Lithuania tiring, Bergamaschi and the two substitutes took full advantage to seal a 7-0 Italy win.

ITALY 7-0 LITHUANIA

GOALS: 1’ and 45’ Caruso, 40’ and 88’ Bergamaschi, 60’ Cernoia, 85’ Sabatino, 91’ Bonetti

ITALY (4-3-3): Giuliani; Bergamaschi, Gama (46’ Bartoli), Linari, Boattin; Giugliano, Rosucci (31’ Filangeri), Caruso (25’ Greggi); Cernoia, Girelli (61’ Sabatino), Bonansea (16’ Bonetti). Subs: Durante, Schroffenegger, Di Guglielmo, Soffia, Galli, Serturini, Piemonte. Head Coach: Bertolini

LITHUANIA (4-5-1): Lukjančukė; Valikonienė, Piesliakaitė (68’ Neverdauskaitė) , Liužinaitė, Žižytė; Mikutaitė, Rogačiova (46’ Ruzgutė), Sabatauskaitė, Vaitukaitytė, Sarkanaitė; Lazdauskaitė. Subs: Klevečkaitė, Klezaitė, Galkina, Romanovskaja, Ruzgutė, Bernotaitė, Kyžaitė, Kriaučiūnaitė, Partikaitė. Head Coach: Wimmer

REFEREE: Nurmustafina (KAZ). Assistants: Idrissova (KAZ) and Kalachyov (KAZ). Fourth Official: Karabayev (KAZ)