Meanwhile, in about an half-hour, U-17 Italy NT will clash vs Brazil for the first place in group A of the U-17 WWC in Morocco.
This is Italy's starting line-up for the final match of the group: Robbioni; Venturelli (c), Verrini, Randazzo, Bressan; Robino, Giudici, Copelli; G. Galli, Volpini, Guerzoni. Exact same line-up as the last match vs Marocco: looks like coach Viviana Schiavi is one of those who have a clear starting 11 in mind (à la Sarina Wiegman, if you want, with all due respect ). As usual, the match will be streamed on RaiPlay, although in Italy only, I suppose.
This tournament is boring: it always goes the same way, as Giulia Galli scores again after less than 5 minutes! Brazil try calling for a check, but the goal is confirmed: 1-0 Italy and Giulia Galli in 5 goals in less then three matches.
Outstanding save by Matilde Robbioni on Evelin at 30'! It was an excellent action by Brazil, Italy decidingly dodged a bullet!
Brazil waste their second and last video-review call on a possible PK-worthy foul, but there is no clear evidence of that. I anyway get the feeling that the Brazilian goal is coming... (5 almost consecutive CKs for them, while Italy took no-one and can't seem to keep the ball far from their box).
I was wrong. Italy managed to change what had seemed to have become the inertia of the game, took 3 consecutive CKs of their own and finally scored with an impressive shot from almost 30 m by captain Caterina Venturelli! What a goal: 2-0 Italy at 45'+3' (with a total of 8 minutes of additional time to be played, because of the double video-support call).
Giulia Galli was alone in front of Brazilian goal at 45'+7':50", but she uncharacteristically had her shot saved!
Brazil scores with Giovanna Waksman at 45'+10'! Not clear why the ref gave almost two additional minutes more than what had been decreed.
At 69' Benedetta Bedini replaces Rachele Giudici and Sofia Pomati replaces Francesca Randazzo. Brazil look dangerous from time to time, but Italy look quite in control (and when they aren't, GK Matilde Robbioni looks excellent )
Brazil scores at 84' with Gi Iseppe, and I have to say it's well-deserved for their effort in the latest minutes. Now Italy have to avoid taking two other goals in 6 minutes + additional time. Meanwhile Valentina Piccardi for Giulia Robino.
Why not Samoa? You don't believe in them? Meanwhile Martina Romanelli gets a Yellow Card at 90'+9', then finally the game ends. Italy 4-3 Brazil, FT. Phew!
Useless strategy if you ask me: this ref was adding two more minutes for every single minutes getting wasted.