With every passing day, match and round, Italy’s Women’s Under-20 National Team continue to make history, adding new chapters to their remarkable World Cup journey.

The round-of-16 victory over China is now behind them, secured after an intense, seemingly endless and heart-stopping 120-minute battle before the Azzurrine held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out. Attention now turns to another Asian opponent, South Korea, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. Italy vs. South Korea will take place at Sosnowiec Arena at 15:00 CEST on Saturday.

While it is right to look ahead and keep dreaming, there is also good reason to pause, however briefly, and reflect on a run that has already carried Italy further than ever before at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. FIGC President Giovanni Malagò paid tribute to Nicola Matteucci’s players: “The Azzurrine are writing chapters that fill us with pride,” Malagò said. “After making history by reaching the round of 16, they produced another magnificent achievement against China to take the Under-20 National Team into the World Cup quarter-finals. Talent, courage and team spirit: keep dreaming, Italy is with you.”

The round-of-16 programme concludes today with France vs. Canada, England vs. Nigeria, North Korea vs. Japan and Poland vs. Colombia. The top half of the draw has already been set: the winners of Italy vs. South Korea will face whoever prevails in the eagerly anticipated Brazil vs. Spain quarter-final, with the semi-final scheduled for Wednesday 23 September at 15:00 CEST.

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.