Italy wins with a late header from Girelli

A thrilling Group G match between Italy and Argentina ended in a 1-0 victory for Italy.

• Italy wins a thrilling fixture
• Cristiana Girelli scored within four minutes of entering the game as a substitute
• World Cup win still eludes Argentina

As a result of a late Cristiana Girelli header, Italy won a compelling Group G match against Argentina. For a moment, it looked as though the game would be scoreless before the veteran substitute scored for the Azzurre. The game started at an electric pace. An acrobatic attempt from Mariana Lorroquette just missed the goal frame, but Argentina fired the first warning shot.

When Arianna Caruso successfully turned and shot from the edge of the penalty area, the Azzurre briefly thought they had opened the scoring.

CRISTIANA GIRELLI!!! 🇮🇹

Four minutes after coming on, the Italian talisman breaks the deadlock at Eden Park!#ITA lead with just 3 minutes remaining…#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/LvsZz3OvID

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 24, 2023

After Giulia Dragoni released the ball, Valentina Giacinti’s tidy finish was overturned because she was adjudged to be standing in an offside position.

Despite plenty of opportunities, neither team could get the upper hand after the break. Argentina took heart from the fact that they had scored all five of their previous FIFA Women’s World Cup goals in the second half.

A huge goal from Cristiana Girelli gave @AzzurreFIGC the three points in a hard-fought contest with Argentina! 🇮🇹💪#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 24, 2023

It would not be the same. Less than four minutes after entering the fray, Girelli leapt highest to meet a floated Lisa Boattin cross and headed home the winner for Italy. Even Argentina’s late push was not enough, and Milena Bertolini’s team clinched victory.

Statistic of note

It is the first time Cristiana Girelli has scored in two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She scored a hat-trick against Jamaica in the 2019 final.