Thank you for joining me for this match! A late header from substitute Girelli was what Italy needed to get them over the line after a frustrating game. Germany v Morocco is about to get underway so make sure you keep up with that and return to join me later for Brazil v Panama. For now you can catch up with Italy v Argentina here:
The Golden Boot is another battle of this World Cup and the US’ Sophia Smith continues to top the charts. You can keep up to date with the trophy fight in real time here:
Here’s Girelli’s winner, the clip is from ITV and so some may not have access:
🇮🇹 Super sub Cristiana Girelli's late header secures the W for #ITA in Group G... #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/hGBdXlBEIJ
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 24, 2023
The next game up is Germany v Morocco and you can keep up to date with all the action from that one:
After that result Italy sit second in their group with Sweden top on the amount of goals scored thanks to their 2-1 win over South Africa yesterday.
Will Girelli get the starting shirt next game? I think she will after that goal, the impact she had! She was only on the pitch less than four minutes and she found the breakthrough.
Full time! Italy 1-0 Argentina
The corner is taken short and is out of play, full-time! Italy’s support staff are in a huddle jumping up and down. Italy’s squad do the same. Girelli’s header the difference in a frustrating match.
90 + 8 min: Boattin takes it to Girelli, who has it back to Boattin and her shot is out for a corner.
90 + 7 min: Rodriguez is down on the edge of the area but no free kick given this time. Stabile gets a yellow card and concedes a free kick.
90 + 5 min: Bonsegundo fires the free kick on target but Durante makes a great save. Italy counter and Cantore takes a shot but it is wide.
90 + 3 min: Argentina make a change with Falfan off for Ippolito. Italy concede a free kick in a dangerous position, right on the edge of the box!
90 + 1 min: I expected a lot of time to be tacked on with the amount on injuries and there will be seven added minutes. Giugliano is down in the box but there wasn’t anything in the tackle, no penalty.
90 min: Argentina almost immediately respond with a long range free kick from a foul. Durante saves once more and can clear her lines after being fouled herself.
88 min: That may have been Girelli’s first touch! Her header sends her team wild, they huddle around her. The support staff and the coach are emotional with that goal.
GOAL! Italy 1-0 Argentina (Girelli, 87')
Talk about instant impact! A great cross and Girelli rises to head home, then runs and slides on her knees!
Updated
86 min: Bonsegundo has a great run but Italy do enough to repel the chance. Bonansea gets a yellow card for a foul and gifts Argentina possession.
84 min: Greggi shoots but Correa saves! It’s do or die now to pick up more than a point as we come to the closing stages of this match. Italy make another change as Dragoni comes off for Girelli.
82 min: It’s the final touch letting Italy down, Argentina on the other hand just need some time on the ball to thread something together.
80 min: Mary has got in touch and said: “Greetings from Northern California. It’s 10.40pm. I took a long nap this afternoon and I am going to mainline coffee so I can stay up for the first two fixtures. In 2019 Italy played the most entertaining brand of football and just ran out of gas against the Netherlands. I am hoping for a repeat performance.” I respect the dedication! Yes, Italy have played with some slick football today but it is more akin to their disappointing run at the Euros last year than the 2019 World Cup. They need to convert a chance soon, they have had the upper hand.
79 min: That was close! Giugliano lays it off for Bonansea but Argentina see it out for a corner. It comes in but the opportunity is wasted again because of a foul.
77 min: Braun takes a tumble but she is up quickly. Bonsegundo gets a yellow card for a foul on Cantore and Italy have a free kick. Argentina make a change before the set piece with Nunex off for Rodriguez.
76 min: Giacinti is off for Italy with Cantore on. This game has been fragmented, wasteful but lively! It’s a great one for neutrals but the teams’ fans must be frustrated. Bonansea has a shot on target but Correa can easily save.
74 min: Boattin looks frustrated as a decision goes against her, conceding a free kick. Wow what a hit! It bends around on target from Bonsegundo but Durante gets a hand to it, Larroquette then hits it out of play.
Updated
72 min: Linari takes some contact off the ball which sees her limp for a while but she is okay to continue.
70 min: What a run from Bonansea, it’s such an electric break the only way Argentina can stop her is by hacking her down. Mayorga gets a yellow card for the foul. Giugliano is over the ball and it is just over the bar!
68 min: Falfan concedes another free kick, needless push to the floor. They take it quickly and it eventually comes into the box but Giacinti can’t get good contact. Cometti had a bit of cramp and is receiving treatment on the side of the pitch so Argentina are down to 10 for a moment before she comes back on.
66 min: Argentina ping it into the box but Durante punches away again – she really doesn’t like to catch a high ball.
64 min: Salvai is also receiving treatment, it looks like for a knee problem and so play does not immediately get back underway. She comes to the side but is staying on.
62 min: Bonansea makes a great cross in but it is headed away. Boos rain down as Bonsegundo has an injury and play isn’t stopped, the referee then does pause play. Bonsegundo is receiving treatment for a head injury but she is okay to continue.
60 min: Beccari fouls and Italy have a free kick. Before they take it Italy make their first change with Caruso off for Greggi. Giugliano takes it but it’s poorly taken, it’s straight out of play.
Updated
58 min: Italy are in a good position and a shot comes in from outside the box but it is over the bar. Bonansea works it around a few defenders and rockets a shot but it sails over.
56 min: The Mexican wave has started in the stands and it generates one of the biggest cheers of the game. Giugliano has a good run but her pass only finds an Argentinian player.
Updated
54 min: Falfan concedes a free kick, Argentina looking more frustrated with each decision that goes against them. Boattin takes it and Giacinti gets a head to it but she can’t target it on goal and a teammate can’t finish it off.
52 min: Italy do get some build-up play together but it ends with a Bonansea cross that is not met by a teammate.
50 min: Stabile takes it and it is almost in! Durante gets a touch on it to stop it, she slaps it down and Italy manage to clear.
49 min: It’s like the ball is a hot potato and the players don’t want it at their feet! Boattin gives away a free kick from a foul on Nunez, it’s in a good position.
47 min: A slow start to the second half with possession exchanging hands quickly. Momentum is a tough thing to grasp in this match with build-up play non-existent at times.
Back underway! Italy 0-0 Argentina
The action is back! Duncan has emailed saying: “As a South African, the stalemate so far is good news for us! Hoping Sweden pick up the pace and beat both of these sides, and that we can get a smash and grab win over one of them at least and squeeze through!” This result will open the group wide open if it does stay as a stalemate!
Co-hosts Australia have been hit with an injury to their captain Sam Kerr but the team have continued to show a confident front. Have a read of this:
Who will win the World Cup? It’s a big question and one fans will question throughout. Kurt has got in touch and asked: “Can Argentina win?” It’s certainly possible but with favourites US, England and Spain they may find it tricky to get their hands on the trophy. For me, I think the US will do it again especially with a talent like Sophia Smith.
Eric has emailed and said: “Greetings from Hong Kong! Thanks for the coverage. I’ve been greatly enjoying all the competitive matches so far this World Cup. Such a delight to see news stars like Dumornay! I don’t have a favourite in this match, but the back and forth action is gripping.” Yes so many games have been closer than people anticipated.
Half-time: Italy 0-0 Argentina
Italy have had the ball in the back of the net twice but with both ruled offside the deadlock remains. Both teams have been strong but it is the final pass or shot that is not coming off for them at the moment. A lot to play for in the second half.
Updated
45 + 3 min: Linari has a risky pass back to her own keeper but Durante manages to collect. Bonsegundo takes a shot but it is out for a corner. Stabile takes the corner again, they go short and it is then thundered in. It’s headed away, it comes back to Stabile’s feet but Durante collects.
45 + 1 min: There will be four minutes added on/
45 min: Banini wins a corner and Stabile steps up to take the set piece. They take it short but it is well read by Italy’s Dragoni who intercepts. She loses possession higher up the pitch.
42 min: Oh Italy! Again they thought they had an opener but Giacinti’s run was offside. A great finish and she starts to celebrate but the flag is lifted.
40 min: Argentina can only thread a few passes together before Italy win it back. Bonansea wins a free kick in a good place Giugliano takes it, it is cleared easily. Boattin pops it back in but it’s headed clear. Giacinti is in here but she fouls an the chance is gone.
Updated
38 min: A great ball in but Giacinti can’t control the chance, her run was impeccable though. Caruso fouls Nunez – what a battle this is – and Argentina can relieve some pressure.
36 min: Boattin is hobbling to the side of the pitch after treatment, no replacement is being prepared so I think she will stay on.
34 min: Italy win a free kick, it comes in and is dealt with initially by Argentina. It comes back in though and Caruso is so close to getting a shot away. Mayorga and Boattin collide, Mayorga is okay but Boattin needs a bit of treatment.
32 min: Giugliano is over the corner ball and sends it in but Correa punches away. Salvai pops it back in and Correa punches away – maybe should have caught that but she cleared the danger nonetheless.
Updated
30 min: Possession continues to pass between the teams quickly but it ends with Italy winning a corner. John Cartmell has emailed and said: “Also watching late Sunday night into Monday A.M. on Telemundo. I’m in Portland, Oregon, home of the NWSL champion Thorns (thank you, Sophie!) and the University of Portland Pilots, alma mater of both Christine Sinclair and the Rapinoe sisters, among other pioneers of world class North American women’s soccer. Plenty of passion, pace, and power so far in tonight’s game. Italy and Argentina are well represented.” Good evening! Yes Sophia Smith a great player for the Thorns and the US – one of the breakout young stars of the World cup I suspect.
28 min: Banini takes the free kick but it smacks the wall. Argentina still have possession and Banini makes an amazing run but Italy manage to deal with it. Two players are down after colliding. It was Nunez and Bonansea, the Italian is back to her feet but the Argentinian looks in a bit of pain here. She is eventually back up and okay.
26 min: Banini makes a good run but her resulting cross has too much on it. Larroquette is fouled by Caruso and she gets a yellow for her efforts – a free kick is awarded in a very good spot.
24 min: Caruso again gets a good ball in but no one is in a good position to take a shot. Larroquette stayed down after a challenge and takes some time to get back to her feet but she is okay.
22 min: Caruso rockets a ball into the box but no one if there to pick it up. Linari is down here after a collision with Bonsegundo but she doesn’t need treatment and okay to continue.
20 min: Nunez takes the free kick but Caruso heads away. It comes back in and Nunez has a great run but great defence from Linari sees it out. Italy try a counter but Boattin fouls Nunez.
18 min: Confirmation it was offside. Larroquette is fouled herself this time and it launches an Argentina attack. Bonsegundo makes a good run and she is hacked down to win a free kick.
16 min: A wasted opportunity there, Argentina were in a great spot but Larroquette fouls again and coughs up possession. Italy immediately attack and Caruso thought she had the opener! It’s a good pass, takes a few touches and volleys it home. They celebrate and then the offside flag goes up! VAR are checking it but I don’t think it will be awarded.
14 min: Argentina’s back line are doing well to swarm the ball when Italy attack now, they seem more confident in their actions in the past few minutes.
12 min: Argentina ping the ball into the box but Durante easily collects. Larroquette gets a yellow card for a foul on Bonansea.
10 min: Salvai cuts out a cross from Nunez, Argentina continue with the attack but Boattin shepherds it out for a goal kick. Bonansea lays off a beautiful ball for Giacinti but her shot is straight at Correa.
8 min: Bonansea is fouled and Italy have a free kick, it is in a good position. It comes in but Argentina defend it really well. Italy have grown into this and after the early chance from Argentina they have hardly had the ball.
6 min: It comes in but Stabile concedes another corner. Boattin take it once more and Caruso gets a touch to it but it hits the side netting. She is appealing for another corner but the referee awards a goal kick.
4 min: Argentina are looking for their first World Cup win in this match and they have started the better, Italy are just settling into this. Caruso passes a pinpoint ball into the box and it is out for a corner. It comes in and Argentina can’t clear their lines – so close to an opener. Italy are on the attack once again but Falfan sees it out for another corner.
2 min: Stabile is fouled early on to earn a free kick and she takes the kick herself. It comes in and Larroquette almost scores a bicycle kick!
Kick-off! Italy 0-0 Argentina
So here we go! Who will come out on top? We will soon find out.
The players are out and the anthems are underway. A good crowd for this one, including Natalia Portman! We are just a few minutes away from kick-off.
A fun fact:
Aged 16 years, 198 days, Dragoni of @FCBfemeni will become the ninth-youngest footballer in history to play in a World Cup tournament and the sixth-youngest to ever start a match at the #FIFAWWC #ITA #ITAARG https://t.co/DMPQoRX7BY pic.twitter.com/wNV6Hr0ukR
— Asif Burhan (@AsifBurhan) July 24, 2023
Jamaica won their first ever point at a World Cup yesterday when they held France to a 0-0 draw. Read all about it:
Have you been keeping up to date with our women’s football transfer tracker? There have been over 300 transfers in the five biggest leagues in Europe, you can check it out here:
Davegrapes has got in touch on Twitter and said: “It’s 11PM Sunday night here in Vancouver. That would make watching this match a bit inconvenient.. if I was employed. Roll on, World Cup!” That is still dedication for watching the match, it’ll be Monday for you by the end of the game!
We have some great columnists for the World Cup and one of them is Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall. He has written about England’s shaky start to the tournament:
Here’s the match between the other nations in group G:
It’s coming up to 6.30am for me here in Bath, whereabouts are you all reading from? I’d love to know where you’re at and what time zone you’re in! Is it breakfast, lunch or dinner? Let me know via Twitter or email.
We have a section on rising stars from each country at the World Cup in our guides and here is Italy’s: “Giulia Dragoni, 16, made the news in Italy and abroad when named in the squad. Dragoni, a gifted midfielder, is just 16 and played only a few Serie A minutes with Inter. In January, she left for Barcelona, becoming the first foreign woman to reside at La Masia, the legendary Barça academy. However her talent is clear and Dragoni has always been considered destined for success. At a very young age she was named “little Messi” for her dribbling and technical qualities. After six months with Barcelona B, she is expected to train – and debut – with the first team next season.” Read the full piece:
Here is some information on Argentina’s star player from our guide to the country’s team: “In 2021 Estefanía Banini became the first Argentinian woman to be named in Fifa’s Best World XI. Her technique and ability mean the 33-year-old Mendoza-born midfielder remains key to the national side. This will be her second and probably last World Cup. “I understand that this is over and have enjoyed it to the fullest,” she said. “I have mixed feelings: I would love to play for life, especially with the national team.”” Read the full piece:
The team news is in!
Italy starting XI: Durante; Di Guglielmo, Linari, Boattin, Salvai; Giugliano, Bonansea, Beccari, Dragoni, Caruso; Giacinti.
Argentina starting XI: Correa; Stabile, Cometti, Braun, Mayorga; Nunez, Falfan, Bonsegundo, Benitez, Banini; Larroquette.
Preamble
Good morning, afternoon or evening depending on where you are tuning in from! We are in for a treat as we kick off day for of the World Cup with Italy v Argentina.
The two nations are in group G, the other two countries in the group competed against one another yesterday. Sweden narrowly beat South Africa with a last-minute winner meaning they sit top of the table. But if Italy or Argentina can get a win bigger than a one goal difference they will take top spot.
Italy had a good run at the 2019 tournament, making it to the quarter-finals. Argentina, meanwhile, have never been beyond the group stage and so that will be their target for the 2023 edition.
It will be a close encounter with Italy having the slight upper hand in the odds for favourite to win. The game will kick-off in an hour and the teams should have their teams news shortly. Stay tuned for updates.
