France have got their UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 campaign off to an absolutely flying start with a 5-1 victory over Italy at The AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham this evening.
Grace Geyoro netted a hat-trick while Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino were also on target as Les Bleues ran riot.
It was Italy who went close early on in South Yorkshire, Barbara Bonansea’s shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of French keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
France then went up the other end and took the lead. Kadidiatou Diani’s low ball hit an Italian leg before Geyoro swept home from 12 yards.
Katoto then netted France’s second goal after Italian keeper Laura Giuliani had failed to hold onto Sakina Karchaoui’s low cross before Katoto saw a header stump the post.
Cascarino then rifled in goal number three from 25 yards before Geyoro tapped in a fourth after rounding Giuliani.
Geyoro then completed her hat-trick on the stroke of half-time from 12 yards as France went into the break 5-0 up.
Having made a couple of substitutions at half-time, Italy were better after the interval and Valentina Bergamaschi headed an effort wide before Bonansea saw a shot whistle past the far post.
English referee Rebecca Welch then issued a red card to Italian defender Sara Gama for a foul on Geyoro but the colour was downgraded to yellow following an extensive VAR review.
A number of substitutions arguably left the final half-hour of the contest somewhat disjointed. Italy did manage to pull a goal back through substitute Martina Piemonte who headed home from six yards and they almost had a second but Selma Bacha cleared Flaminia Simonetti’s effort off the line. Peyraud-Magnin then produced a flying save to deny Piemonte at the death as the game ended 5-1.
France take on Belgium in their next match while Italy will face Iceland.
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