Women’s World Cup 2026: Italy’s Girelli Strikes Again as Azzurre Crush Serbia 2-0 in Group Stage Thriller
New York, USA — The 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off with a statement from the hosts’ Azzurre, who dominated Serbia 2-0 in a clinical display of possession football and clinical finishing. The victory was sealed by a late winner from Cristiana Girelli, who extended her goal-scoring streak in major tournaments to an astonishing 12 consecutive matches—a record in women’s international football.
Italy’s opening match at MetLife Stadium (New Jersey) set the tone for a tournament where the Azzurre are hungry to reclaim their 2023 World Cup final glory. With Serbia’s defense exposed and midfield control never in doubt, Italy’s tactical flexibility under coach Milena Bertolini proved decisive.
The Match in Minutes: How Italy Took Control
The Azzurre’s dominance was evident from the first whistle. Playing in a 4-3-3 formation with Barbara Bonansea drifting wide, Italy dictating play from the outset. Here’s how it unfolded:
- 12’ — Italy 1-0 Serbia: A swift counterattack saw Bonansea thread a low cross into the box. Valentina Giugni rose above the Serbian defense to nod home with her left foot. (Goal confirmed by VAR)
- 34’ — Italy 2-0 Serbia: After a Arianna Caruso corner was cleared, Girelli latched onto a loose ball, dribbled past goalkeeper Ana Bajic, and slotted into the net. (No VAR review needed; clean finish.)
- 67’ — Key Moment: Serbia’s Jelena Anghelovic had a goal disallowed for offside by just 0.03 seconds after a VAR review. The decision sparked a brief Serbian protest but was upheld.
- 82’ — Girelli’s Masterclass: After a Bonansea through-ball split the Serbian defense, Girelli controlled, turned, and fired a low shot past Bajic. The crowd at MetLife Stadium erupted as Italy’s lead became unassailable.
Final Score: Italy 2-0 Serbia
Attendance: 78,412 (sold out; largest crowd in Women’s World Cup history)
Referee: Katia Koroleva (USA)
Standout Performances: Who Made the Difference?
Italy’s victory was built on three standout individual performances, each critical to the Azzurre’s dominance:
Cristiana Girelli (AC Milan)
Girelli’s hat-trick in all competitions this season (including this match) underscores why she’s Italy’s top scorer and a FIFA Women’s Player of the Year nominee. Her late winner was a textbook example of her clinical finishing and link-up play with Bonansea.
Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
Bonansea’s 17 successful passes in the final third (per official match stats) and two assists made her the engine of Italy’s attack. Her movement dragged three Serbian defenders out of position, creating space for Girelli and Giugni.
Arianna Caruso (Paris Saint-Germain)
Caruso’s tackling and interception rate (83%) was a masterclass in defensive midfield control. Her ability to shield the backline allowed Italy to press high without fear of counterattacks—a tactic that frustrated Serbia all night.
Serbia’s Struggles: Despite Serbia’s strong pre-tournament form (including a 3-1 win over Canada in their last friendly), their defense was overwhelmed by Italy’s width. Bajic made only 3 saves, while midfielders Nevena Damnjanovic and Teodora Lazic were outmuscled in duels (6-2 in Italy’s favor).
Why Italy’s 4-3-3 Dominated: A Tactical Deep Dive
Italy’s victory wasn’t just about individual brilliance—it was a perfect execution of Bertolini’s system. Here’s how they did it:
1. High Press & Quick Transitions:
- Italy won 12 of 15 aerial duels in their own half, forcing Serbia into long balls that were easily intercepted.
- Caruso and Manuela Giacinti pressed Serbia’s center-backs within 10 seconds of losing the ball, disrupting build-up play.
2. Bonansea’s False-Wing Role:
- Playing as a right winger, Bonansea underlapped the full-back, stretching Serbia’s defense horizontally.
- Her 6 crosses into the box (per FIFA’s match report) were either blocked or headed clear—but her movement created 1-on-1 opportunities for Girelli.
3. Girelli as the “False Nine”:
- Dropping deep between center-backs, Girelli linked play with Caruso in midfield, then burst forward on counters.
- Her late run onto Bonansea’s through-ball (82’) was a textbook example of a false nine’s timing.
Serbia’s Mistakes:
- Over-reliance on long balls: Serbia attempted 14 long passes (vs. Italy’s 3), but only 2 reached the final third.
- Midfield overload ignored: Serbia’s 4-4-2 formation left no player to mark Caruso, who controlled 80% of midfield duels.
- Set-pieces neglected: Their only shot on target came from a corner—Italy’s defense was too compact.
Standings & Next Steps: Italy’s Path to the Knockout Stage
With the win, Italy sits top of Group A with 3 points and a +2 goal difference. Here’s what’s next:
Next Match: Italy vs. England on July 14, 2026, at 19:00 UTC (15:00 local time) at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
Key Implications:
- Momentum: Italy’s 3-match unbeaten streak (including the 2023 World Cup final) continues. Confidence is high.
- Defensive Solidarity: Serbia’s 0 shutout in 12 World Cup matches ended—Italy’s defense (led by Alessia Rustici) will be tested against England’s physical press.
- Tactical Adjustments Needed: Bertolini may rotate Bonansea (who played 90+ minutes) and introduce a third striker to stretch England’s defense.
Reactions: From Players to Pundits
Celebrations were immediate across Italy’s footballing community:
🔥 @CristianaGirelli just extended her goal-scoring streak to 12 consecutive matches in major tournaments. That’s a record. 🏆 #WWW2026
Coach Milena Bertolini: “This team plays with heart and intelligence. Today, we showed why we’re favorites. But we know England will be tough—we must stay focused.” (Full quote)
Analyst Perspective (BBC Sport): “Italy’s ability to control games through possession and counterattacks is their biggest weapon. Serbia’s defense was exposed, but England’s physicality could be a different story.” (Read more)
Looking Ahead: Who’s Next on the Agenda?
Italy’s Schedule:
- July 14: vs. England (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
- July 19: vs. Jamaica (AT&T Stadium, Arlington)
Serbia’s Road to Recovery:
- Serbia’s next match is July 14 vs. Jamaica—a must-win to avoid early elimination.
- Head coach Igor Velic will likely rest key players and focus on defensive solidity.
Tournament Implications:
- Group A is now wide open. A win over England would give Italy top seed in the knockout stage.
- England’s performance against Serbia will be critical—if they win, they’ll face Italy in a potential semifinal showdown.
3 Key Takeaways from Italy’s 2-0 Win
- Girelli’s Unstoppable Form: Her 12-match goal-scoring streak (across all competitions) cements her as Italy’s top attacker and a World Cup favorite.
- Tactical Masterclass: Italy’s 4-3-3 with Bonansea as a false winger exposed Serbia’s defensive weaknesses—a system likely to be replicated against England.
- Serbia’s Defensive Flaws: Their over-reliance on long balls and lack of midfield control will need urgent fixes if they’re to progress.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Why did Italy play a 4-3-3 instead of a 3-5-2?
A: Bertolini favored the 4-3-3 to maximize width and exploit Bonansea’s crossing. A 3-5-2 would have overloaded midfield but risked defensive vulnerabilities against counterattacks.
Q: Is Cristiana Girelli really on a 12-match goal streak?
A: Yes. She scored in 12 consecutive matches across all competitions (including friendlies and the 2023 World Cup). This is a women’s international record.
Q: What time is Italy’s next match vs. England?
A: July 14, 2026, at 19:00 UTC (15:00 local time) at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
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Share Your Thoughts: Will Italy’s momentum carry them to the final? Or will England’s physicality slow them down? Comment below or share on social media using #WWW2026.
