Italy were twice disallowed goals either side of the break in an end-to-end, drama-filled Group C encounter but Barbara Bonansea struck in the 95th minute to seal her brace and a 2-1 win that leaves coach Ante Milicic with plenty to ponder ahead of more challenging prospects further down the line in France.
Fancied as dark horses to bring home the trophy, the Matildas revealed flashes of the attacking class that propelled them to world No.6, but were too often disjointed and exposed at Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes.
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The 15th-ranked Azzurre, conversely, meant business from the off and played up to their more-fancied counterparts, creating good chances that bore fruit at the death and revelling in late-game gamesmanship.
And though Lisa De Vanna added sorely needed lightning off the bench, the pressure will be on against remaining group foes Brazil and Jamaica.
VAR-Y LUCKY
Australia can thank a few millimetres of Bonansea’s forearm for the fact they didn’t go down an early goal. Emily van Egmond turned over the ball and allowed Manuela Giugliano to unleash a superb, defence-splitting ball. Bonansea, Italy’s most dangerous player, slipped off the shoulder, shrugged off a challenge and finished past a clearly frustrated Lydia Williams.
But the lineswomen’s flag was up and the goal disallowed. A lengthy review by the video assistant referee showed the call was microscopic, but Honduran referee Melissa Borjas upheld her decision. Then, nine minutes from time, Daniela Sabatino rattled the near post before putting the rebound in the back corner but was similarly ruled offside.
KERR OPENS ACCOUNT …
… and then channels Tim Cahill. Kerr has four consecutive club golden boots across two continents but had yet to score at a World Cup at her previous two tournaments. She wasted no time here. As Ellie Carpenter whipped in a cross, Italy’s pugnacious skipper Sara Gama gave Kerr a shove in the box and the striker expertly drew the foul for a yellow card and penalty. Kerr’s subsequent spot-kick was denied by Italy’s goalkeeper Laura Giuliani but she made no mistake on the follow-up, then raced to the corner flag and gave it a good punch.
DEFENCE STILL A PROBLEM
Italy’s reversed goal occurred because Australia were caught out of shape, and every time Italy had space their green-and-gold opponents appeared vulnerable and often forced to scramble. It took some fine goalkeeping from Williams to keep the Matildas in the game, the Seattle Reign and Melbourne City custodian denying Cristiana Girelli’s close-range shot and copping a ball to the face for her troubles.
But Italy’s equaliser marked the biggest warning sign as to how easily Ante Milicic’s play-out-from-the back philosophy can be exposed. Alanna Kennedy took a short ball from Williams and passed to Clare Polkinhorne who, under no pressure, took a heavy touch and gifted possession to Bonansea.
The Juventus star slalomed past both her and Kennedy and slid the ball into the bottom corner. Kennedy came uncomfortably close to scoring an own goal 10 minutes from time.
FLASHES OF ATTACKING POTENTIAL
Disjointed for the opening 20 minutes, the Matildas sparked to life after Kerr’s goal and could have doubled the lead before halftime. Hayley Raso only marginally failed to connect with a van Egmond pile-driver and Chloe Logarzo almost made good on an excellent Australian counter-attack when Caitlin Foord offloaded to Carpenter and Raso cracked in a cross.
Time and again there was a tangible sense that a second goal would open the floodgates, but Italy kept pressing and went hard for a winner with fast-paced accuracy. Cue Bonansea's late, late heroics.
CARPENTER KILLING IT
She’s still only 19, but the first-choice right-back is coming of age. The Matildas overloaded the right flank and Carpenter had a field day against Italy’s left-back Alia Guagni, exploding forward with Raso adding her mark higher up on the wing. Carpenter endured a rough time against the Netherlands last weekend but she well and truly fits in on the world’s biggest stage.
Updates
An incredible result – and a terrible one for the Matildas.
Arriving with so much hope, the World No.6 have been stunned by the world No.15 Italians.
The better attacking force, Australia weren't able to get things to click today against a well-drilled defensive unit.
Chances were created, but they were continually rebuffed.
This makes Australia's second game against Brazil – on Friday (2am AEST) – absolute must-win.
They would've arrived in France thinking that would be their toughest clash… but now nothing but a victory will suffice.
Plenty to think about for Ante Milicic and his troops. And they don't have much time to regroup.
Thanks for sticking with us tonight. Be sure to stick around to check out all the fine work from our reporter on the ground, Emma Kemp, as she'll bring you all the latest reaction from the Matildas camp.
An incredible result – and a terrible one for the Matildas.
Arriving with so much hope, the World No.6 have been stunned by the world No.15 Italians.
The better attacking force, Australia weren't able to get things to click today against a well-drilled defensive unit.
Chances were created, but they were continually rebuffed.
This makes Australia's second game against Brazil – on Friday (2am AEST) – absolute must-win.
They would've arrived in France thinking that would be their toughest clash… but now nothing but a victory will suffice.
Plenty to think about for Ante Milicic and his troops. And they don't have much time to regroup.
Thanks for sticking with us tonight. Be sure to stick around to check out all the fine work from our reporter on the ground, Emma Kemp, as she'll bring you all the latest reaction from the Matildas camp.
A double to Bonasea!!
A header to the back post, and Australia are nowhere to be seen.
The cross was tempting enough to draw Williams off her line and no one is covering the back post.
Incredible drama from Italy, who upset the world No.6 with a last-ditch goal!
A double to Bonasea!!
A header to the back post, and Australia are nowhere to be seen.
The cross was tempting enough to draw Williams off her line and no one is covering the back post.
Incredible drama from Italy, who upset the world No.6 with a last-ditch goal!
Free kick to Italy near the right touchline in the attacking third.
Late drama?
With five minutes of injury time, Australia are throwing everything into the attack.
Sam Kerr JUST denied by some last-ditch defence.
Now de Vanna wins a a fairly soft free kick in good position. Despite more good crosses, they simply can't get a clean header off.
Italy have defended the cross extremely well.
Australia getting desperate and firing shots off at will – but no clean connections.
Italy are trying to slow things down, and it is proving effective.
The clock is ticking on the Matildas here. But they push up once again and win a corner.
Elise Kellond-Knight was close to pushing her way into the starting lineup.
But now she gets 10 minutes to prove the saviour.
Tamika Yallop is the one to make way.
Elise Kellond-Knight was close to pushing her way into the starting lineup.
But now she gets 10 minutes to prove the saviour.
Tamika Yallop is the one to make way.
