💫 France send out big message with Italy thrashing | OneFootball

France put on the performance of the tournament so far as they ruthlessly thrashed Italy 5-0 in Rotherham.

Scorers: Geyoro 9′, 40′, 45′, Katoto 12′, Cascarino 38′; Piemonte 76′

A stunning save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin denied Barbara Bonansea the opener after four minutes when she stuck out a strong leg to deny the Italy striker when she seemed certain to find the net.

And that miss proved even more costly within five minutes when France took the lead after Sara Gama’s miscued clearance was pounced upon in the area by Grace Geyoro for the opener, which number two quickly following.

Again, Italy failed to deal with a cross into the six-yard box, this time goalkeeper Laura Giuliani palming the ball onto the feet of Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who made no mistake from close range and only the post denied her a third from a header moments later.

The rampant France side deservedly added a third through a sublime strike from Delphine Cascarino from the edge of the area, swivelling inside and blasting across goal into the far corner before number four arrived moments later when Geyoro beat the offside trap to race in, round Giuliani and finish.

And she then completed a first half hat-trick moments before the interval, sidefooting a volley into the far corner after another cross into the area caused problems for the Azzurri defence.

Italy’s horror evening appeared to worsen shortly after the hour mark when captain Gama was sent off for catching Geyoro high on the chest with a reckless kick after she was beaten to the ball but the red card was downgraded to a yellow following a lengthy VAR check.

However, they did manage to salvage a consolation with 15 minutes remaining when Martina Piemonte headed home moments after entering as a substitute for a goal that their improved second half showing merited.