Women’s Football World Cup 2019: Matildas aren’t looking for revenge against Italy for infamous 2006 penalty

It’s the first encounter between Australia and Italy at a major tournament since, well, you know when ... but the hype is certainly not bothering the Matildas.

• Beware Matildas! Italy will be up to old tricks
• Magnificent seven: Stars set to rule in France

Mention the name Fabio Grosso to Caitlin Foord and it doesn’t spark even a hint of recognition.

Because she hasn’t seen the Socceroos’ 2006 World Cup round-of-16 match, nor that infamous, heart-rending penalty in the dying seconds that sent eventual winners Italy through the quarter-finals.

So there’ll be no extra emotion for the star Matildas forward in the first encounter between the countries at a major tournament since.

Lucas Neill pleads his innocence but Italy have a penalty back in 2006.

“I didn’t watch that,” Foord said.

“I wouldn’t even know what happened in the game.”

Foord might not, but the mere memory of Grosso’s dramatic tumble in Stuttgart, one that drew a penalty from Lucas Neill and allowed Francesco Totti to convert his spot-kick, could creep into the minds of fans settling in to watch Australia’s opening Women’s World Cup game on Sunday.

The context, of course, will be very different, and unlike that men’s Italy side that went on to lift the 2006 trophy, their female counterparts have just qualified for the first time in 20 years and haven’t made it past the group stage since 1991.

The Matildas travelled to first French stop Valencienne earlier this week, their focus having shifted firmly away from their 3-0 friendly loss to the Netherlands and onto business.

Caitlin Foord says she hasn’t even watched the offending match.

“You definitely feel the support from Australia, once it gets closer to the games you feel that a lot more,” Foord said.

“At the same time we’re all just so focused. To be honest I haven’t read anything online. I don’t want to be distracted.”

Originally published as Women’s Football World Cup 2019: Matildas aren’t looking for revenge against Italy for infamous 2006 penalty