Opponent Watch: Girelli hat-trick sends Italy into Round of 16

Italy are the first team from Group C to book their spot in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16 after outclassing Jamaica on Saturday (AEST).

After their opening game win over the Matildas, Le Azzurre continued their sensational start to the tournament with a 5-0 drubbing of the Central Americans in Reims.

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Cristiana Girelli was the star, scoring an impressive hat-trick to become just the second Italian to achieve that feat at a FIFA Women’s World Cup after Carolina Morace in 1991.

Aurora Galli then came off the bench in the second half to score a double to complete the rout.

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Galli’s first goal will be a contender for one of the strikes of the tournament, lashing in a shot from outside the box into the top corner of the net.


The result was Italy’s joint-biggest win at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, matching the 5-0 thrashing of Chinese Taipei in 1991.

After two Group C matches for each nation, Italy top the standings with six points to ensure their spot in the knockout stage.

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The Matildas and Brazil are locked together on three points, with Jamaica all-but eliminated after two straight defeats.

The final matches of the group will be played on Wednesday morning (AEST), with the Matildas taking on Jamaica and Italy facing Brazil.

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World Cup France 2019™ – Group C – Australia Matches

Jamaica v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
Kick-off: 5.00am AEST (9.00pm local time, Tuesday 18 June)

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