Epic Win for Azzurrine: Under-17 Women Top Brazil 4-3 to Take Group Crown
An intense, at times epic, match; one to remember! The Under-17 Women’s National Team secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Brazil, earning their third straight win and topping the group with a perfect record. This extraordinary result secures a top seed heading into the Round of 16 on Tuesday, where they will face a third-place team from another group.
The Azzurrine were not just extraordinary; they were also skillful and mature beyond their years, capable of responding blow for blow to a top-level opponent. This multifaceted match—technical, tactical, and emotional—was rich in drama and history, providing a major boost of confidence for the team’s ongoing journey of continuous growth in the tournament.
Match Highlights and Key Performances
The Italian side proved capable of resisting when needed and striking when the opportunity arose, even reacting with maturity to setbacks, such as when the Verdeoro closed the gap just before halftime. The quality was evident not just in the starting eleven, but also from the substitutes, whose determination and technical decisions made a decisive contribution.
Giulia Galli continued her remarkable run, netting her fifth goal in three matches at this World Cup. However, every player deserves special mention, from the orderly and attentive defense to Giulia Guerzoni, who was deservedly voted MVP of the match by FIFA.
The Coach’s View: “We Want to Stay as Long as Possible”
“First of all, I must congratulate the girls,” said coach Viviana Schiavi, looking happy but exhausted, as if she had just played the match herself. “They put in a fantastic performance and weren’t satisfied with just qualifying—they truly wanted to finish the group with a perfect score.”
Schiavi praised her team’s maturity: “They overcame their fatigue, reacting with great maturity to difficult situations. Now we’re enjoying this extra day of rest, ready to pursue our dream: we want to stay in Morocco as long as possible.”
A Rollercoaster of Goals
The Azzurrine’s starting lineup was the same as the victorious match against Morocco, featuring Volpini as the attacking focal point, supported by Galli and Copelli, with Robino once again anchoring the midfield. Brazil’s intent was clear from the start: intense, man-to-man pressure across the entire pitch.
However, Italy exploited this pressure to their advantage and took the lead after just five minutes. Volpini started a fine move in midfield, finding the unstoppable Copelli on the right. Her shot was blocked, but the rebound fell perfectly to Galli, who calmly and skillfully slotted home the opening goal.
Despite Brazil’s excellent technical skills and solid playmaking, Italy remained focused and determined. Goalkeeper Robbioni made a marvelous save in the 30th minute to deny Evelin. The drama heightened just before the break during the lengthy injury time (initially eight minutes). Following a series of corners, the ball reached captain Venturelli, who unleashed a rare, powerful, and precise right-footed shot from 30 meters that flew in just under the crossbar, giving Italy a two-goal lead.
Just when the Azzurrine seemed to have full control, Waksman showed her quality with a burst of speed from midfield, piercing Robbioni for the 2-1 finish—a moment of annoyance as the clock had signaled the end of injury time for at least a minute and a half.
Second Half Action
Coach Schiavi brought on Romanelli for the booked Copelli at the start of the second half. The team quickly restored the two-goal cushion just four minutes in via a set piece. Guerzoni’s beautifully curled free kick sparked a melee in the box, and Verrini was the quickest to convert the confusion into a goal, making it 3-1.
As the match progressed, Italy displayed a keen ability to read the game, but the Verdeoro opened the contest once more at the least expected moment. With six minutes remaining, a fine through ball cut through the Italian defense, setting up Iseppe to beat Robbioni for the 3-2 that reignited the match.
The emotional rollercoaster continued right up to the final whistle. Substitute Bedini capped off a fine team move by unleashing an unstoppable right-footed shot from the edge of the box in the 90th minute, making it 4-2. This only lasted three minutes, however, as the talented Waksman scored again. The final minutes were a tense scramble, but ultimately, the final whistle blew, sealing a hard-fought 4-3 victory.
The final whistle prompted a well-deserved celebration, immortalized by a group photo under the scoreboard. It’s night in Rabat, and while the stadium empties, the team can dream of more matches like this one.
Next Match
Round of 16: Tuesday (Opponent TBD, will be a third-place team) at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
What part of the article is most interesting to you—the performance, the coach’s comments, or the dramatic finish?
