AUCKLAND, New Zealand — In the space of some four minutes, Cristiana Girelli made history.
Girelli became the first Italian to score in two Women’s World Cups with her goal in the 87th minute that gave Italy a 1-0 win in its tournament opener against Argentina on Monday night.
“There’s nothing special, it’s just that I did my duty,” Girelli said. “I did my best. I was really willing to help my teammates.”
Italy put the ball in the back of the net twice in the opening half but both times were offside, before Girelli’s breakthrough header. Girelli came into the match as a substitute in the 83rd minute.
The Italians have never dropped an opening match at the World Cup. But this time they faced tenacious Argentina, eager for its first-ever win in the tournament. Going into the World Cup, La Albiceleste were inspired by their men’s side and star Lionel Messi, who brought home the World Cup trophy from Qatar late last year.
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“We will try to leave this game behind us, learn from what happened, and continue reinforcing the positive. Now we need to clear our minds, look at what comes next and take on the group,” Argentina forward Estefania Banini said.
Italy has had more success on the big stage, advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2019 after a 2-0 round of 16 victory over China. The Italians were stopped by the Netherlands, which went on to lose to the United States in the final.
GERMANY 6, MOROCCO 0: Alexandra Popp scored twice in the first half and Germany added four more in the second in Melbourne.
The margin of victory is the largest of the tournament so far as the two-time champions dominated throughout against Morocco, the first Arab and North African country to qualify for the tournament
Popp scored her 63rd and 64th international goals, moving to third on Germany’s all-time list. The Wolfsburg forward quickly made her mark on the tournament after missing out on the final of the 2022 European Championship against England because of injury.
The second half featured two Morocco own-goals sandwiched between goals from Klara Bühl and Lea Schüller.
Brazil’s Beatriz Zaneratto, centre, attempts to kick the ball past Panama’s goalkeeper Yenith Bailey, left, and Panama’s Carina Baltrip-Reyes during their Women’s World Cup Group F match in Adelaide, Australia, on Monday.
BRAZIL 4, PANAMA 0: Ary Borges scored a hat trick as Brazil made a flying start to their World Cup run.
Borges struck twice in the first half at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide and added a third in the 70th-minute. Bia Zaneratto finished off a spectacular goal as Brazil made an early statement by moving to the top of Group F.
Zaneratto’s strike was an early contender for “goal of the tournament” after a sweeping move from Brazil and brilliant backheeled assist from Borges.
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