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Into the world’s top eight. An intense, physical, scrappy and nerve-shredding contest ultimately produced the most thrilling of endings, as Italy Women’s Under-20s beat China on penalties to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals. As Head Coach Matteucci underlined after the match, the Azzurrine “rediscovered in the shoot-out the composure they had shown at the start of the game”, converting all five of their penalties. Chenyu Li’s miss with China’s final spot kick proved decisive, sending Gallo and her teammates racing away in celebration. The Italian flag was waved jubilantly on the pitch after the final whistle, while Maya Cherubini, named Player of the Match, proudly displayed her FIFA award.
“Every player who took to the pitch deserves credit for what they showed,” said Nicola Matteucci after the game, on his 48th birthday. “It is not just today: these girls have been giving me an extraordinary present for at least 20 days now through their commitment and their desire to be here. Reaching this stage of the competition is a real source of pride.”
After Appiah broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, the Azzurrine appeared to have the game under control despite China’s pressure. A defensive error then allowed their opponents back into the contest in the 73rd minute, Wang equalising from a seemingly harmless cross. What followed was a test of nerve and endurance that lasted until the end of extra time. Cherubini, Ventriglia, Zamboni, Bressan and Langella remained calm from the spot to send Italy into the quarter-finals, where they will face South Korea. The match will take place at 15:00 CEST on Saturday, once again in Sosnowiec.
The match. Matteucci welcomed captain Gallo back into the side and restored Bressan at the heart of the defence to counter China’s physicality. Appiah and Pellegrino Cimò retained their places as the front two, with Methodology Coach Fabio Andolfo and Women’s Youth National Teams Coordinator Enrico Sbardella watching from the stands.
It was a scrappy affair in which both sides struggled to string passing moves together and China looked to dominate the second balls. The Azzurrine created the first chance (12’), with Catena releasing Pellegrino Cimò in behind. The forward found herself one-on-one with Liu but delayed her finish and was then unable to round the goalkeeper. The duel continued five minutes later, when Italy’s number ten tested Liu from distance and drew a fine save. From the resulting corner, Bressan rose highest but sent her header inches wide. Matteucci’s side began to increase the tempo as the half wore on, with Fadda’s energy causing China problems and Pellegrino Cimò looking particularly dangerous in attack. The deserved opener arrived when Galli raced down the left and delivered a low cross that the Chinese goalkeeper could only push into Appiah’s path, leaving her with a simple finish to make it 1-0 (34’). Forced to push further forward, China showed why they had reached the World Cup round of 16, but the Azzurrine weathered their attacks without being seriously threatened.
Ventriglia replaced Appiah at the break, while China returned for the second half on the front foot. Three minutes after the restart, however, Pellegrino Cimò again threatened after being picked out by the substitute. China’s high press made it difficult for Italy to play out from the back, and the equaliser arrived when Belli failed to deal with Wang’s seemingly harmless cross, effectively gifting China the goal that made it 1-1 (73’).
Extra time followed, and Italy appeared gripped by anxiety, with their composure only returning when it mattered most: in the penalty shoot-out. The Azzurrine were flawless from the spot, while China faltered with their final attempt. The celebrations could begin, amid beaming smiles and cathartic embraces, before Matteucci was hoisted into the air by his players to provide the perfect ending to his birthday.
ITALY 1-1 CHINA (HT: 1-0; FT: 1-1; AET: 1-1; Italy won 5-4 on penalties)
ITALY: Belli; Venturelli, Bressan, Gallo; Consolini (Cocino 106’), Catena, Cherubini, Fadda (Langella 81’), Galli (Tosello 81’); Appiah (Ventriglia 46’), Pellegrino Cimò (Zamboni 68’). Unused substitutes: Di Nallo, Tornaghi, Lombardi, Testa, Sciabica. Head coach: Matteucci.
CHINA: Liu; Wang, Zeng, Huang, Li; Xue (Xiao 85’), Song (Chen Z. 68’); Chen R., Yu X. (Yu J. 57’), Luo (Ye 46’); Zhou. Unused substitutes: Guo, Hou, Yuan, Ouyang, Lu, Mao. Head coach: Wang.
Referee: Pennington (USA). Assistant referees: Mullen (USA) and Kerr-Wilson (JAM). Fourth official: Fernandez (URU).
Goals: Appiah (34’), Wang (73’).
Notes: Stoppage time: one minute in the first half, three minutes in the second half and one minute in the second period of extra time. Booked: Xue, Bressan and Chen
Round of 16 schedule and results
Wednesday 16 September
Argentina 0-1 South Korea
Brazil 1-1 United States (a.e.t.; Brazil won 5-4 on penalties)
Italy 1-1 China (a.e.t.; Italy won 5-4 on penalties)
Spain 2-0 Portugal
Thursday 17 September
15:00, France vs. Canada (Lodz)
15:00, England vs. Nigeria (Bielsko-Biala)
18:30, North Korea vs. Japan (Lodz)
18:30, Poland vs. Colombia (Bielsko-Biala)
World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Elena Belli (Inter), Erica Di Nallo (Vicenza), Lavinia Tornaghi (AC Milan);
Defenders: Martina Bressan (Inter), Martina Cocino (Aarau), Lidia Consolini (Inter), Azzurra Gallo (Toulouse), Emma Lombardi (Fiorentina), Martina Tosello (Cesena), Caterina Venturelli (Sassuolo);
Midfielders: Giada Catena (Res Donna Roma), Maya Cherubini (Fiorentina), Paola Fadda (Sassuolo), Gabriella Langella (Napoli Women), Sofia Testa (Ternana Women), Marta Zamboni (Como Women);
Forwards: Karen Appiah (Cesena), Giulia Galli (Barcelona), Giada Pellegrino Cimò (Roma), Manuela Sciabica (Lazio), Rosanna Ventriglia (Ternana Women).
Staff – Head Coach: Nicola Matteucci; Methodology Coach: Fabio Andolfo; Assistant Coach: Erika Lisi; Goalkeeping Coach: Mattia Volpi; Fitness Coaches: Lorenzo Corsi and Vincenzo Piermatteo; Match Analyst: Alessandro Rossi; Doctors: Michela Cammarano and Andrea Gattelli; Physiotherapists: Marco Fiore and Eugenio Zarcone; Nutritionist: Vito Flavio Valletta; Team Secretary: Aurora Leo.