Women's World Cup 2019: Italy beat China 2-0 to seal quarter-final place

Italy head coach Milena Bertolini said her players are on a "mission" to help the country "discover and appreciate the women's game" after they beat China to reach the Women's World Cup quarter-finals.

The Italians are back on the biggest stage after a 20-year absence and victory over the Netherlands in the last eight on Saturday in Valenciennes will represent their best performance at international level.

"We really believe this side has allowed the women's game to break new ground back home," said Bertolini after the Italians scored a goal in each half to eliminate China, who had made the quarter-finals in three of the past five World Cups.

"We can see that from the viewing figures, what we see in the press and from the messages we receive from back home.

"Our game is different from the game we're used to seeing [men's football]. It's full of values - sportsmanship and values you see in society day-in, day-out. I know cultural changes take a lot of time, but this team are able to break down some of those prejudices and they are enacting change and that's their mission."

Forward Valentina Giacinti gave Italy an early lead when she turned in a loose ball from close range after Peng Shimeng parried Elisa Bartoli's effort.

China enjoyed a resurgence before the interval but Italy sealed victory through Aurora Galli after half-time.

Galli, who replaced Cristiana Girelli in the first half, found the bottom corner from outside the area.

Relive what happened

Le Azzurre dominated the early exchanges and Giacinti had a ninth-minute strike ruled out for offside before giving her side a deserved lead with her fifth goal in her past eight internationals.

Italy could have doubled their lead after the half-hour mark when winger Valentina Bergamaschi was played in over the top, but her fierce effort across goal was well saved by Shimeng.

That save from a keeper nicknamed the 'Wall of China' appeared to spark her side into life and they produced their first shot from inside the Italy area in the 41st minute and a further two before the break.

Liu Shanshan also fired in a volley from outside the area which was well saved by Laura Giuliani.

But Italy broke their resistance within five minutes of the restart as forward Galli picked up the ball the best part of 30 yards out and sent a right-footed shot past Shimeng and into the bottom corner.

'It makes us realise our shortcomings' - what they said

China head coach Jia Xiuquan said: "We've done a good job but we need to do much better. We couldn't win the game and I apologise to all the Chinese fans. We understood Italy very well and it was a good game. This is football, and whoever makes mistakes first, has to pay.

"The World Cup is a big stage and it makes us realize our shortcomings. We can't dwell on the past or any past glories."

Match facts

Italy are the sixth team from Europe into the quarter-finals - a new record for a single confederation at a Women's World Cup. Only three European sides made the last eight in 2015.
Valentina Giacinti scored her seventh goal for Italy on her 29th appearance. It was her first goal in four World Cup appearances.
China have lost all seven World Cup knockout stage games they have conceded first in - all of them to nil.
All seven teams scoring first in the last 16 so far have progressed to the quarter-finals.
Galli's three goals as a substitute equals the record for a single Women's World Cup, set by Australia's Lisa de Vanna in 2007.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Italy

Formation 4-3-1-2

1Giuliani
7Guagni
3Gama
5Linari
13Bartoli
2BergamaschiSubstituted forMauroat 63'minutes
23Giugliano
10GirelliSubstituted forGalliat 39'minutes
21Cernoia
19Giacinti
11BonanseaSubstituted forRosucciat 71'minutes

Substitutes

4Galli
6Rosucci
8Parisi
9Sabatino
12Marchitelli
14Tarenzi
15Serturini
16Fusetti
17Boattin
18Mauro
20Tucceri Cimini
22Pipitone

China

Formation 4-4-2

12Peng
6Han
5Wu
3Lin
2Liu
11WangSubstituted forSongat 61'minutes
20Zhang
13WangSubstituted forYaoat 62'minutes
17GuSubstituted forYangat 45'minutes
7Wang
10Li

Substitutes

1Xu
4Lou
8Li
9Yang
14Wang
15Song
16Li
18Bi
19Tan
21Yao
22Luo
23Liu

Referee:: Edina Alves Batista
Attendance:: 17,492

Match Stats

Home TeamItalyAway TeamChina

Possession: Home37%; Away63%

Shots: Home17; Away20

Shots on Target: Home5; Away6

Corners: Home0; Away9

Fouls: Home9; Away9

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Italy 2, China PR 0.
90'+6'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Italy 2, China PR 0.

90'+6'
Post update
Attempt saved. Wang Shuang (China PR) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Liu Shanshan with a cross.
90'+5'
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
90'+5'
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Manuela Giugliano (Italy).
90'+3'
Post update
Attempt saved. Valentina Giacinti (Italy) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Manuela Giugliano.
90'+2'
Post update
Offside, China PR. Wang Shuang tries a through ball, but Yang Li is caught offside.
90'+2'
Post update
Wu Haiyan (China PR) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+2'
Post update
Foul by Ilaria Mauro (Italy).
90'+1'
Post update
Attempt missed. Ilaria Mauro (Italy) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Valentina Giacinti.
90'+1'
Post update
Attempt missed. Manuela Giugliano (Italy) right footed shot from long range on the left is close, but misses to the left.
90'
Post update
Attempt missed. Valentina Giacinti (Italy) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Manuela Giugliano.
87'
Post update
Foul by Wang Shuang (China PR).
87'
Post update
Aurora Galli (Italy) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'
Post update
Attempt missed. Wang Shuang (China PR) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Zhang Rui following a set piece situation.
84'
Post update
Song Duan (China PR) wins a free kick on the right wing.
84'
Post update
Foul by Manuela Giugliano (Italy).
83'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Yang Li (China PR) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Yao Wei.
82'
Post update
Attempt missed. Zhang Rui (China PR) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Song Duan.
81'
Post update
Corner, China PR. Conceded by Elena Linari.