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THE FACTS
When is Italy vs Argentina on and what time does it start? Italy vs Argentina will take place on Monday 24th July, 2023 – 07:00 (UK)
Where is Italy vs Argentina taking place? Italy vs Argentina will take place at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for Italy vs Argentina? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Italy vs Argentina
What channel is Italy vs Argentina on in the UK? Italy vs Argentina will be televised live on ITV1
Where can I stream Italy vs Argentina in the UK? Italy vs Argentina can be streamed on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ITALY
- After a desperately poor performance in the 2022 European Championships, head coach Milena Bertolini finds herself under a lot of pressure as she leads the Azzurre to their second consecutive Women’s World Cup and after having reached the quarter-finals in that competition, expectation is high.
- There is a substantial mix of both youthful talent and seasoned experience among the Italian squad, with the likes of Manuela Giugliano and Arianna Caruso complimenting players such as Cristiana Girelli and Valentina Giacinti.
ARGENTINA
- After seeing the men’s national team achieve men’s World Cup glory last year, now it’s the turn of Argentinian women’s national team to take to the world stage and attempt to follow Lionel Messi and co in bringing further footballing success to Argentina.
- Whilst they are still yet to pick up a victory in the competition’s history, Argentina significantly improved on previous Women’s World Cup showings in 2019, picking up two draws and gaining at least three points in the group stage this summer would represent a natural next step.
THE TEAM NEWS
ITALY
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Durante; Lenzini, Orsi, Linari; Serturini, Caruso, Giugliano, Severini, Boattin; Girelli, Giacinti
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
ARGENTINA
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Correa; Braun, Mayorga, Cometti, Stabile; Falfan, Benitez; Rodriguez, Bonsegundo, Banini; Larroquette
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Italy are making back-to-back appearances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ for the first time in their history. They ended a 20-year absence from the tournament when they featured at France 2019. Overall, this is their fourth participation.
- Italy have never lost their opening match at a Women’s World Cup (W2 D1).
- Milena Bertolini is the first coach to lead Italy in two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ having also been in charge in 2019 when they reached the quarter-finals.
- Argentina earned their spot at the 2023 finals courtesy of a 3-1 victory against Paraguay in the third-place play-off at the 2022 Copa America Femenina. Yamila Rodríguez, who scored twice for Argentina in that match, finished as the overall top scorer in the tournament with six goals.
- Argentina will be aiming to reach the knockout phase for the first time having been eliminated in the group stage in their previous three appearances.
- Germán Portanova is only the second coach to lead Argentina at the Women’s World Cup following Carlos Borrello who was in charge in 2003, 2007 and 2019.
- Each of Argentina’s five goals at the finals have been scored in the second half. Their earliest goal was scored by Eva González in the 60th minute of their 6-1 defeat against England in 2007.
THE PREDICTION
Italy are likely to come out of the traps very quickly in a bid to take control of this contest early on and will look to control the tempo and push bodies forward at every opportunity. The Azzurre will be desperate to secure that first Women’s World Cup win with a draw expected to be seen as points dropped, hence an attacking style of play. However, Argentina pose a substantial offensive threat themselves and whilst their backline is set very a tough examination, they boast the attacking players to hit Italy hard on the counter attack. With that in mind, backing both teams to score has to be favoured between these two sides.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE