Belgium 0 Italy 1
July 3 – Set up as the battle of the understudies – with group mates Spain expected to top the Group B – Italy versus Belgium gave both sides the perfect opportunity to claim three must-win points in Sion.
Neither side were at their best, but Italy midfielder Arianna Caruso made the difference with a beautiful first half finish into the top left corner.
Pre-match talk was of the elite veteran strikers, Cristiana Girelli and Tessa Wuellert, with 53 and 90 goals for their nations respectively, though neither were able to make their mark on the scoreline.
Italy’s lineup held undeniable chemistry, largely fused between Juventus and Roma players which translated to a natural understanding between them on the pitch. Only goalscorer Caruso in the stating line-up plies her trade outside of her home nation.
The first half an hour left little to talk about, as both teams struggled to get a firm grasp on the game. Italy were expected to assume their possession-play football and Belgium were predicted to try and cash in on the break – but the reality was the stark opposite. Two teams playing with each other’s identity.
Belgium, to their credit, looked assured and patient, though lacking any real energy in attack.
Italy, meanwhile, had energy in abundance, but needed to settle if they were to leave a real mark on the goal.
With a chance that would have broken the goal drought plaguing the game, Belgian striker Wuellert uncharacteristically fluffed a close range effort in the 40th minute, sending it curling wide of the post despite being just six yards out.
That proved to be a costly error.
Speaking ahead of the match, Belgium head coach Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir said: “We’ll need to be very alert during set pieces. Italy have shown time and again how dangerous they can be in those moments.”
Having nullified Italy’s set pieces, it was a moment of brilliance from Caruso that opened the scoring: a beautiful curled finish into the top left corner, covering up a clumsy touch with a rattling finish. After a brief but nervous VAR check for handball, the goal stood.
Both teams struggled to gather much momentum into the second half, where the match resumed its pre-goal slump.
The all-important final pass proved to be increasingly elusive, playing out as a frustrating match of ping-pong in the midfield until the referee blew her final whistle after nine minutes of added time.
Italy coach Andrea Soncin spoke of his team’s passion pre-match. He spoke of their “great desire, awareness and confidence” heading into the must-win tie. The overall performance may have left a little to be desired, but nobody can deny the Italian passion won out today.
Soncin’s side will hope to carry this momentum into their clash with Portugal on Monday – where another three points will surely be enough to head into the next round.
It doesn’t get any easier for Belgium, who will line up against World Champions Spain in a bid to collect their first points of the campaign.
| Grp B | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Italy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Portugal | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
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