11 April 2018
DOUBLE AZZURRE WIN
Italy, who are top of Women's World Cup qualifying Group F, played two fixtures in this break, away to Moldova on 6 April and then hosted Belgium on 10 April.
Away to Moldova, Juventus Women's goalkeeper, Laura Giuliani started in goal for the Azzurre, whilst she had a familiar face in defence, as Cecilia Salvai also started the game. Further ahead on the pitch Martina Rosucci played in the midfield and Barabara Bonansea in the attack. Benedetta Glionna was un unused substitute for Italy, who won the game 1-3.
In the next game at home against Belgium, Giuliani once again started in goal with Sara Gama also joining Salvai ahead of her in defence. In the midfield Aurora Galli came in alongside Rosucci and Bonansea again in attack. Juventus Women left-back, Lisa Boattin was an unused sub for the game.
Belgium scored first from the spot, but in dramatic style Rosucci scored her first-ever goal for Italy to level the game just before half-time. In the second half and the Azzurre were able to find a late winner 10 minutes from time, when Girelli slotted home with an assist coming from Bonansea.
Italy lead the group on 18 points and have a 100% record with six wins and will qualify for the 2019 World Cup in France with a win in their next game against Portugal on 8 June.
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR FINLAND
Finland fell to Spain 0-2 in their game played on 6 April in World Cup qualifying Group G.
Irene Hernandez and Olga Garcia did the damage for Spain, with Juventus Women's Tuija Hyyrynen being dismissed in the second half for two bookable offenses, whilst Sanni Franssi played 78 minutes.
Finland are in third place in the group with seven points, level with Austria above them, who they will play at home in their next outing on 8 June.
ITALY UNDER-19'S QUALIFY
The Italian Under-19's qualified for the Under-19 Women's 2018 European Championship in Switzerland after topping Qualifying Group 7. Juventus Women's trio, Vanessa Panzeri, Arianna Caruso and Sofia Cantore all started and played the full 90 minutes of Italy's games against Scotland and Czech Republic.
Italy won their first game against Scotland on 5 April 4-1 with Caruso scoring a 94th minute penalty to round-off the victory. Against the Czech Republic on 8 April, after going a goal down in the first half, Cantore scored in the second to level the game, with Caruso then putting Italy in front just four minutes later. However, the Czech Republic equalised with 15 minutes to go to tie the match at 2-2.
