2019 FIFA Women's World Cup review: Barbara Bonansea and Cristiane help Italy and Brazil to winning starts

By Sporting Life

Football

Sun June 09, 2019 · 5y ago

A review of Sunday's Women's World Cup action.

Cristane hat-trick helps Brazil see off Jamaica

Cristiane scored her eighth hat-trick for Brazil as they beat Women's World Cup debutants Jamaica 3-0 in their Group C opener in Grenoble.

Despite being without talisman and six-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, Brazil made a strong start to the competition, ending their nine-match losing streak against a Jamaican side ranked 53rd in the world.

The experienced Cristiane gave Brazil the lead in the 15th minute, looping a header into the top corner to open her account at the World Cup.

Andressa had a good chance to double Brazil's lead from the penalty spot seven minutes before the interval but goalkeeper Sydney Schneider denied the forward.

However, Andressa atoned for the miss five minutes into the second half with a clever ball across the box which Schneider was unable to deal with, allowing Cristiane to tap in at the far post and double Brazil's lead.

The 34-year-old completed her hat-trick in the 64th minute, expertly striking a free-kick from just outside the area off the crossbar and into the net for her 92nd international goal.

Bonandsea stuns Australia with late winner

Barbara Bonansea's last-gasp goal gave Italy a shock 2-1 win in their Women's World Cup Group C opener against Australia.

The Juventus striker netted twice as Italy, who are at the tournament for the first time in 20 years, came from behind to secure all three points against an Australian side ranked sixth in the world.

Bonansea had a goal disallowed for offside in the eighth minute following a Video Assistant Review.

After the initial scare, Sam Kerr put the Matildas ahead in the 22nd minute, firing in the rebound after her penalty was saved.

Bonansea made up for her earlier chance in the 56th minute, taking advantage of a heavy touch from centre-back Clare Polkinghorne as she ran into the box and slotted the ball through the legs of the defender and into the corner of the net.

Italy appeared to take the lead through Daniela Sabatino, who found the net at the second attempt after her initial effort rebounded off the post, but the linesman ruled the striker offside.

And in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Bonansea nodded in a cross at the back post to stun Australia and give Italy the perfect start.