France set a statement of intent in a dazzling display against Italy

Grace Geyoro’s first half hat-trick helps France to a thumping 5-1 victory over Italy at Rotherham’s New York Stadium.

It took less than ten minutes for Geyoro to open her account as she smashed Kadidiatou Diani’s searching cross into the back of the net.

Four minutes later, Caroline Dicare’s side had a second when Italy keeper Laura Giuliani palmed another dangerous cross into the path of an eagerly awaiting Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who converted from five yards.

While the first two goals came from Italian errors, the third was anything but, as Delphine Cascarino collected the ball on the edge of the box and smashed it into the bottom corner.

The misery for Milena Bertolini’s side only worsened as Geyoro scored a minute later when she was put through on goal by a clever Katoto pass and rounded the keeper to roll the ball into an open net.

The PSG forward completed her hat trick on the stroke of half time when she directed Sandi Toletti’s driven cross into the bottom corner to round off a disastrous first half for Italy.

However, the Azzurri began the second half with a much-improved intensity that almost boiled over when Sara Gama swung her boot into the stomach of Geyoro in what was an extremely reckless challenge.

The defender was initially given a red card, but VAR intervened and changed the card to yellow, keeping all eleven players on the pitch.

Following the close escape, Italy began to string some passes together, and in the 75^th minute, they were rewarded with a well-finished consolation header from Martina Piemonte.

It’s a crucial start to the tournament for France, who are one of the favourites to win this year, and the win puts them top in Group D with a healthy goal difference to hand.

As for Italy, it was always going to be a difficult opening against a talented in-form France, but there are still plenty of pages to write in this Euros chapter with two matches still to play.

 

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