Italy’s women’s national football team takes the pitch at Florence’s Stadio Artemio Franchi on Tuesday evening holding a 2–0 aggregate lead over Belarus in the UEFA qualification playoff semifinals for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Kickoff is set for 6:15 p.m. local time (UTC+1), with live television coverage provided by Rai 2.
Stadio Artemio Franchi Hosts the Decisive Return Leg
Andrea Soncin’s squad enters Tuesday’s fixture carrying a comfortable margin from Friday’s first leg, which was played on neutral ground in Tbilisi, Georgia. Second-half goals from Agnese Piemonte and Michela Polli secured the 2–0 victory, though the scoreline could have been wider given the volume of scoring chances created by the Azzurre.
“We don’t want to think about that match, but focus only on tomorrow’s game,” Soncin said during his pre-match press conference. “The girls are very mature, determined, and know well the importance of this challenge. Qualification must be built step by step, and tomorrow’s game represents a decisive step toward the World Cup.”
Florence has frequently served as a welcoming venue for the national team. Captain Cristiana Girelli highlighted the stadium’s history, noting previous successful qualification campaigns secured on the same pitch.
“The stadium in Florence is a lucky charm for us,” Girelli said, recalling qualification paths for the 2019 World Cup and the 2022 European Championship. “We will have to play without calculations, with the intent of having fun and hitting the goal that is close to everyone’s heart.”
Squad Adjustments and Tactial Expectations
For the return leg, Soncin welcomes back midfielder Arianna Caruso and defender Beatrice Soffia, both of whom served one-match suspensions during Friday’s encounter in Tbilisi.
The Italy coach anticipates a more aggressive tactical approach from Belarus as the visitors chase a two-goal deficit. In response, Soncin stressed the need for defensive stability, territorial dominance, and sharper finishing inside the penalty area.
High-ranking officials from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), including commissioner Giovanni Malagò and Club Italia president Claudio Ranieri, are expected to watch the match from the stands in Florence.
The Road Ahead to Brazil 2027
The winner of the two-legged playoff between Italy and Belarus will advance to the final playoff round. That decisive tie, scheduled between late November and early December, will determine Europe’s qualification slots for the 2027 tournament in Brazil.
In the concurrent path, Finland and Serbia contest their own semifinal tie, with Finland carrying a 3–1 advantage into their return leg.
For Girelli, the ongoing qualification cycle carries deep personal significance alongside its team objectives.
“Going to the World Cup would be important for our sport and our country, and it would represent for me the culmination and also the end of my career in the Azzurro,” Girelli said. “For me, the national team is always home.”
