64' and Elena Linari scores the 3-1 goal from a CK action! Cross by Manuela Giugliano, prolonged by Michela Cambiaghi with an header, and Elena Linari just has to tap-in from the second post. Unreal: Italy is getting back all of the luck they were missing in the previous games. On the 2-1 score, there was probably an handball by Lucia Di Guglielmo in the box, but it wasn't called and we aren't going to question that call.
Spain hits the crossbar at 70'! Soon after, assist-woman Manuela Giugliano is replaced by Aurora Galli. Previously Michela Catena had replaced Valentina Giacinti.
Spain underestimated Italy when they subbed-out their goal-scorer Athenea del Castillo and their Best-Player-in-the-World Aitana Bonmatì at HT: they probably thought they weren't needed to keep this game in control. It was a crucial mistake from them, in my eyes. But Italy sure came back on the pitch in the 2nd Half with a different purpose. They sure were helped by some awful defensive blunders by Spain, but they somehow made them happen with their high pressing, so they deserved to exploit them. Valentina Giacinti changed the tide of the game with her equalizer, Arianna Caruso and Manuela Giugliano were wonderful assist-women, but to me the poster-child of this incredible win is Michela Cambiaghi: she's 27 yo, so her debut for the Senior NT happened very late, but at just her third cap she scores her first goal, and what a goal at that. She's the player of the moment, in the league also. Tonight she gave her everything, she pressed the Spanish defense-line for the whole game and, with her physical presence, she was a constant danger for all of the 2nd Half, when Italy finally showed up in forces in the Spanish half of the pitch. With Cristiana Girelli injured, she sure was a credible double, Interesting tidbit: last year Michela Cambiaghi graduated in management & business. With today's scores, Italy caught up with Sweden at the 2nd place of the group, but they're behind because of the direct clash. On Tuesady, though, Sweden will visit Spain, while Italy will play Switzerland at home. We need a better result than Sweden to pass them in the rankings and get that 2nd place, that would mean direct permanence in Nations' League A with no need to play-off. The minimum requirement of 3rd place has been already cleared, but now Italy, with a little luck, can hope for something better.
Highlights of the game; a little on the short side, for such an epic win, but all the key-moments are there :
In other news, U-23 Italy NT, coached by Nazarena Grilli, won a friendly match vs Belgium, with goals by Alice Corelli in the 1st Half and Asia Bragonzi at 88', after the late equalizer by Belgium had given the impression that the game was going to end in a draw. It's a good sign that Italy are keeping a solid group of U-23 players, who give some continuity to our good Youth Teams and are at ready as a pool for the Senior Team to draw from. Highlights:
That would mean Italy avoid a promotion/relegation playoff and are guaranteed to be in League A for the EURO 2025 Qualifiers where the automatic qualifying places are available.
Yes, it could be very good, although Sweden lately has been too bad too be true and I suspect they could come back strongly vs a Spain side that's already clinched the 1st place in the group, so won't be very motivated to fight tooth and nail. A win by Sweden would make Italy's result vs Switzerland irrelevant. Anyway, when at HT Italy was behind, the result of Switzerland-Sweden was bad for us, because it could have made direct relegation like a realistic scenario. Now that we've won vs Spain, of course, Sweden's loss is good for us instead, since it could allow us to stay in Nations' League A with no need of a play-off match.
Line-up for the Switzerland game: Giuliani Di Gugliemo - Salvai - Linari - Boattin Caruso - Giugliano - Greggi Cantore - Giacinti - Cambiaghi I am happy to see Giada Greggi starting. Cecilia Salvai is preferred to Martina Lenzini: back-to-back Juventus' CBs change. Michela Cambiaghi is on a roll, so it's sure correct to play her: I would like her to try to press Eseosa Aigbogun, that, from what I see of her in Roma, could be a liability for the Swiss. Sofia Cantore has a big chance and she'd better deliver; I am not so sure about her, let's see. Switzerland, of course, seems to have their best line-up: they're already relegated to Nations' League B, but I am sure they will give us a game anyway, Game will begin in 10 minutes, we're going to see. For records, I don't have a big faith in Spain doing their job of beating Sweden.
I am quite sure Spain won't lend us a helping hand. Meanwhile, Italy is collecting CKs and pressing Switzerland, but no goals in Parma so far.