Photo: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via AFP
Italian players celebrate victory after the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between Italy and Argentina at Eden Park in Auckland on July 24, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand.
Substitute Cristiana Girelli’s 87th-minute header gave Italy a 1-0 win over Argentina in their Women’s World Cup opener at Eden Park in Auckland on Monday, denying the South Americans a first win at the global soccer showpiece.
Veteran striker Girelli, 33, replaced 16-year-old midfielder Giulia Dragoni in the 83rd minute and needed only four minutes to make an impact, beating goalkeeper Vanina Correa with a fine header to seal a hard-fought victory.
Italy’s Ariana Caruso and Valentina Giacinti both had goals ruled offside in a competitive first half after Argentina nearly made a sensational start to the game, when Mariana Larroquette’s bicycle kick went narrowly wide in the second minute.
Goalkeeper Francesca Durante pushed away Argentine midfielder Florencia Bonsegundo’s attempt from a free kick in stoppage time, ensuring Italy earned three points to join Sweden on top of Group G.
More than 30,000 spectators showed up the game between Italy and Argentina.
Source: RNZ
