Winning was essential to keep their hopes alive, and Italy did just that. Against the leaders of the women's football tournament at the Mediterranean Games, the Azzurrine not only won, but did so in commanding fashion: the 3-1 victory over Morocco brought a smile to head coach Priscilla Del Prete, who, after the slight setback against Slovenia (the 1-1 draw in Francavilla Fontana), can celebrate with the dream of reaching the gold-medal match more alive than ever.

Thanks to this victory, Italy move up to 7 points, drawing level with Morocco and Portugal, who beat Slovenia 4-0 in Brindisi and will be the opponents for the final group match on Saturday at 18:00 at the Iacovone Stadium in Taranto. Oddina and her teammates are currently third in the standings, however, due to their inferior goal difference (+5, compared with Morocco's +6 – although they have now completed all their matches – and Portugal's +7). Italy must win to reach Monday's final.

DEL PRETE. At the end of the match, Priscilla Del Prete commented: "We have played good football and put in good performances in all three matches. We were a little unlucky against Slovenia, but sooner or later, when you create chances, the ball goes in. Today the girls put in a fantastic performance, and I have to congratulate them and the staff, who are available to them 24 hours a day to help them perform at their best. After we equalised today, I believed even more: we picked ourselves up, reacted and then it really was a match that made me proud. The game against Portugal will be decisive for reaching the final. We'll start thinking about it tomorrow; we're one step away from the final, but we have to take that step. The crowd? I have parents from Puglia, and your roots matter. For me, it is an honour to be here. I have to thank the people; they have been our extra source of support."

THE MATCH. Del Prete kept the 4-2-3-1 formation, pushing Sterner higher into the number 10 role and partnering Galluzzi with Guerzoni in central midfield, while Pinchi returned to the starting XI up front. The Azzurrine began with an ultra-aggressive press, making it difficult for Morocco to play out from the back. In the 4th minute, after a well-worked move, the first shot of the match arrived, but Guerzoni's right-footed effort sailed over the bar.

Morocco took the lead in the 13th minute, however, as Italy were caught out by a throw-in and El Hajouti headed home unmarked to make it 1-0. Italy responded with great force and came close to an equaliser twice two minutes later: first, a 40-metre effort from Rosso incredibly struck the crossbar, before Martone's right-footed shot narrowly missed the top corner.

Guerzoni tried her luck in the 20th minute, but Naam produced a superb save under the crossbar to turn the ball behind for a corner. Five minutes later, Pinchi had a golden opportunity, but her right-footed effort went just wide. Three minutes before half-time, Ciurleo's excellent curling left-footed strike hit the base of the post. It was a sign of what was to come. Moments later, Pinchi finally found the net, firing past Naam to make it 1-1.

SECOND HALF. Italy made one change at the start of the second half, with Oddina replacing Andreangeli on the left flank. Three minutes after the restart, Italy had a huge chance: Naam missed her attempted intervention, Pinchi got a touch in front of goal, but Diyen produced a crucial clearance.

Italy were now attacking relentlessly. In the 55th minute, chances came one after another, first through Rosso, whose effort was blocked when she looked certain to score, and then Ciurleo, who saw the crossbar deny her once again.

The goal was coming. Ciurleo, desperately unlucky, hit the woodwork again, but Guerzoni reacted quickest to the rebound and made no mistake. Italy had turned the game around and went 2-1 ahead in the 51st minute.

Morocco appeared to have little left in the tank to turn the match around, and Italy struck again in the 70th minute: Oddina delivered a perfectly weighted cross and Rosso headed home to make it 3-1.

With a two-goal lead, the Azzurrine controlled the remainder of the match and secured a hugely important victory in their bid to reach the gold-medal final.

ITALY-MOROCCO 3-1 (HT 1-1)

Italy (4-2-3-1): Agostini; Grassi, Rosso, Pieri, Andreangeli; Galluzzi, Guerzoni; Ciurleo, Sterner, Martone; Pinchi. Subs: Pezzi, Oddina, Messa, Saccomandi, Cacace, Miraldi, Ciccarelli. Head coach: Del Prete

Morocco (4-3-3): Naam; Abajiou, Mouradi, Chaimae Boughazi, El Hajouti; Diyen, Krafia, Hamdani; Lamrani, Oubella, Youssoufi. Subs: Bouzman, Ben Amar, Zeqaqi, Boushaba, Charaf Boughazi, Lakradi. Head coach: Rabie

Goals: 13' El Hajouti (M), 38' Pinchi (I), 51' Guerzoni (I), 70' Rosso (I)

Referee: Belaid (Tunisia); Assistants: Ismail (Tunisia), Nikoloski (North Macedonia); Fourth official: Ergun (Türkiye)

Notes: Guerzoni (I)

Women's Football Tournament

Single Group: Portugal, Morocco, ITALY, Slovenia, Kosovo

Fixtures

Matchday 1, Saturday 22 August
Slovenia-Morocco 0-4
Portugal-Kosovo 3-0

Matchday 2, Sunday 23 August
Portugal-Morocco 2-1
Italy-Kosovo 4-1

Matchday 3, Tuesday 25 August
Morocco-Kosovo 4-0
Italy-Slovenia 1-1

Matchday 4, Thursday 27 August
Portugal-Slovenia 4-0
Italy-Morocco 3-1

Standings after Matchday 4

Portugal, Morocco and Italy 7
Slovenia 1
Kosovo 0

Matchday 5, Saturday 29 August
Slovenia-Kosovo, 18:00 | Brindisi
Portugal-Italy, 18:00 | Taranto

Finals, Monday 31 August

3rd-place match, 10:30 | Brindisi
Gold-medal match, 19:00 | Taranto