Key events
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.
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:
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.
