Italy win 2-0 against Belarus in 2027 World Cup qualification first leg

Italy kicked off its qualification campaign for the 2027 Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory against Belarus in the first leg of their playoff tie, though head coach Andrea Soncin’s side delivered an outing marked by more shadows than light. Played at the David Petriashvili Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, the match saw the Azzurre dominate possession but struggle with execution until late goals from Martina Piemonte and substitute Elisa Polli secured the advantage before the return fixture.

Reporting on the fixture, Oasport.it noted that the squad began their journey toward the global tournament with a performance that left room for improvement despite the clean sheet. The result leaves Italy holding a valuable two-goal cushion as preparations turn toward the decisive second leg scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.

Tactical Setup and First-Half Frustrations in Tbilisi

Soncin deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation designed to dictate the tempo and maximize attacking output in the final third. In the midfield, Giada Greggi and Emma Schatzer paired alongside returning winger Annamaria Serturini—back in the national team fold after a lengthy absence—and Manuela Giugliano, with Piemonte serving as the focal point in attack.

Italy immediately established control of the ball, but encountered a stubborn and compact Belarusian defense that crowded the penalty area. Serturini tested the wall with a free-kick in the third minute, followed shortly by a drive from Piemonte that goalkeeper Natalia Voskobovich handled easily. The visitors increased the tempo as instructed from the bench, coming closest in the 13th minute when Schatzer struck a powerful left-footed effort from distance against the crossbar.

As the first half wore on, missed opportunities mounted for the Azzurre. Piemonte failed to convert a quick-touch pass from Chiara Oliviero in the 19th minute, and her subsequent 21st-minute shot was smothered by the defense. Agnese Glionna missed an open look from close range in the 25th minute, and Giugliano squandered a clear one-on-one chance against Voskobovich in the 35th minute. Despite sustained pressure and occasional ventures forward by Belarus, the scoreless deadlock persisted through the halftime whistle.

Breaking the Stalemate After the Interval

The second half resumed with Belarus defending deeper in their own half while Italy pushed their defensive line higher up the pitch. Greggi orchestrated early attacks, but the team’s buildup remained deliberate and slow. Greggi fired over the bar on a volley in the 56th minute, and Bergamaschi forced a diving save from Voskobovich with a long-range drive in the 62nd minute.

Recognizing the need for a breakthrough, Soncin turned to his substitutes in the 66th minute, introducing Barbara Bonansea and Giulia Dragoni in place of Serturini and Schatzer. The tactical adjustment paid off two minutes later. In the 68th minute, Italy capitalized on a corner kick when Piemonte rose to meet the delivery, steering a header past Voskobovich at the near post to break the deadlock.

The opening goal eased the pressure on the visitors, who continued to press for insurance. Dragoni tested Voskobovich with a powerful strike from the edge of the area in the 76th minute, and Giugliano missed another close-range opportunity shortly thereafter. Cristiana Girelli replaced Piemonte in the 82nd minute, and Oliviero received a yellow card for a tactical foul in the 84th minute.

Late Polish Seal the First-Leg Advantage

Italy’s persistence yielded a second goal in the final moments of regulation. In the 88th minute, Soncin introduced midfielder Eva Severini and forward Elisa Polli to replace Giugliano and Glionna. The change proved immediately decisive when Polli collected a pass in the 91st minute and fired a right-footed shot toward the far post, securing her first senior international goal for Italy.

The referee blew the final whistle after four minutes of stoppage time, confirming the 2-0 scoreline. The result gives Soncin’s squad a clean sheet and a two-goal advantage to protect when the teams meet again on Tuesday, October 13, at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence for the second leg of the playoff tie.