A feisty, hard-fought battle in Group G was settled in the 87th minute when substitute, Cristiana Girelli, flicked her header over Correa to seal the win for Italy.
In a match that seemed crucial to win from the moment the draw was released, Italy and Argentina engaged in a battle of high-quality and high-aggression that looked likely to finish without a goal.
Whilst a draw would have felt just following a match that ebbed and flowed from the first minute, you cannot deny the goalscoring nous of Girelli, who scored her 54th goal for Italy to steal three vital points.
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In the case of this match, the stats really do tell the story. A staggering 36 fouls were committed in a match that fizzled with feeling throughout. Only five shots on target gives some more indication of what the game was like. A fantastic viewing experience that lacked final product.
It would be criminal to recall the quality of the match without mentioning Argentina's Estefania Banini. A statistic flashed up in the first half saying that she'd had 20% of the match's possession, and you wouldn't question it for a second. Desperately retreating to provide an out-ball before receiving it with what always felt like an endless amount of time, she turned, cut, slipped, and sped through countless challenges and was the brightest in a match filled with sparks of talent.
Ultimately, though, the game was left to be grabbed not by style, but by substance. 33 year-old Girelli provided exactly that, and Italy will now take on Sweden with three points safe in their pocket. Argentina and South Africa will fight it out in what could be a sudden death affair on Friday afternoon (NZST).
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The Sporting News followed Italy vs Argentina live and provided score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.
Italy vs Argentina final score
| Final Score | Goal scorers | |
| Italy | 1 | Girelli (86') |
| Argentina | 0 |
Italy vs Argentina lineups
Italy lineup (4-5-1): 22. Durante (GK) — 4. Di Guglielmo, 5. Linari, 17. Boattin, 23. Salvai — 18. Caruso (Greggi 58'), 16. Dragoni (Girelli 83'), 14. Beccari, 8. Bononsea, 6. Guigliano — 9. Giacinti (Cantore 74')
Argentina Lineup (4-5-1): 1. Correa (GK) — 14. Mayorga, 3. Stabile, 6. Cornetti, 13. Braun — 22. Banini, 16. Benitez, 15. Bonsegundo, 8. Falfan, 7. Nunez (Rodriguez 77') — 19. Larroquette (Ippolito 92')
Italy vs Argentina live updates, highlights, commentary
Full Time: Italy 1-0 Argentina
96th min.: Free-kick for Italy: Stabile is booked for pulling down Cantore as Italy broke away.
94th min.: Save by Durante: The free-kick looked promising but lacked the pace to beat Durante.
93rd min.: Free-kick for Argentina.: Bonsegundo was brought down just outside the area - the free-kick is a dangerous one for Argentina.
92nd min.: SUB for Argentina: Ippolito will replace Larroquette for the final minutes.
91st min.: There will be a minimum of 7 minutes of added time.
87th min.: GOAL for Italy!: Girelli rises highest to meet Boattin's lofted cross. Her 54th goal for Italy may have just won the match.
85th min.: Yellow card for Italy: Bononsea becomes the fifth player in the book tonight after a late challenge on Falfan.
83rd min.: SUB for Italy: The youngest player in Italy's history is replaced by the oldest in their squad, Girelli.
81st min.: A powerful strike from Greggi is steered into the chest of Correa from long-range.
77th min.: SUB for Argentina: On comes Rodriguez, who top scored in Argentina's Copa America run last year, replacing Nunez.
75th min.: Yellow card for Bonsegundo: She grabbed the wrist of new addition Cantore as she surged towards the Argentinian backline.
74th min. SUB for Italy: Cantore replaces Giacinti up front who hasn't been brought into the game enough.
73rd min. Chance for Argentina: A threatening free-kick curled in towards Durante's goal was kept put with a punch that bounced off Larroquette for a goal kick.
69th min.: Guigliano's free-kick curls just over the bar, Correa probably had it covered.
68th min.: Free kick for Italy: A threatening run from Bononsea is ended by Mayorga who's shown a yellow for the tackle.
66th min.: Two free-kicks are given in quick succession to either team as the pushing and shoving continues at Eden Park.
61st min.: Salvai is down receiving treatment for Italy
58th min.: SUB for Italy: Caruso, who picked up a yellow card in the first half, is replaced by Greggi.
55th min.: Chance for Italy: A half clearance fell nicely to Guigliano on the edge of the area whose shot was driven high and wide.
52nd min.: The niggle continues as Boattin swings in an unthreatening free-kick from out wide. Tension could boil over at some point here - the crowd are into it too.
49th min.: Save from Durante: Stabile's in-swinging corner hung in the air awkwardly until Durante jumped to flap the ball out of danger. Heart-in-mouth moment for Italy.
48th min.: It's an early free-kick for Argentina in the second half just metres from the corner flag.
46th min.: We're back underway at Eden Park, mutuals will be hoping this match continues with the same flair and fire it showed in the first 45.
Half Time: Italy 0-0 Argentina
Half time: There really has been nothing between these two sides in the first half. An enthralling and entertaining 45 minutes comes to a close with no change to the scoreboard.
47th min.: Corner for Argentina: Stabille played short to Banini whose cross was met well by the Italian defence and has ended up in the hands of Durante.
45th min.: There will be a minimum of 4 minutes of stoppage time: a half that has ebbed and flowed looks like it may end without a goal.
42nd min.: OFFSIDE: This one was even more clear-cut. Giacinti was a long-way offside when she gathered the ball and rolled it past Correa.
40th min.: Mayorga did well to shield the ball from Giacinti, who looked to pounce on a ball floated in towards Argentina's goal.
36th min.: A lovely, lofted pass from Dragoni was just too high for Ciacinti to bring down inside the area.
32nd min.: A tangle between Boattin and Mayorga brings a stop to play as they each recieve treatment. Italy are the side showing their quality now with good, quick play along the wing. This match has had all the quality without a final product.
27th min.: Banini fired the free-kick into the wall and despite another burst of footwork from her following the rebound, Italy are able to clear.
26th min.: Free-kick for Argentina.: Banini will fancy a shot from this free-kick after a mistake from Italy meant Caruso had to pull the shirt of Larroquette, she's been booked.
23rd min.: Some absolutely delightful, tight passing carried Argentina up the field before Banini's whipped cross sailed just slightly out of reach.
20th min.: There's been little in terms of clear-cut chances but the opening 20 minutes have been seasoned with moments of quality and class from both sides.
17th min. Free-kick for Argentina: Banini has been absolutely brilliant down the left flank for Argentina, and has earned a wide free-kick from which they can whip the ball in. You feel that won't be the last time Banini is brought down after a tidy dribble.
14th min.: OFFSIDE! A lovely turn and finish from Caruso is pulled back after the flag went up for a rather clear offside.
12th min.: Yellow card for Larroquette: A nasty challenge from the forward brings a caution that feels like the accumulation of a few frustrated Argentina tackles so far.
10th min.: Chance for Italy: Correa stays strong and denies a tame effort from Giacinti inside the area.
7th min.: A deep free-kick for Italy is punched away confidently by Correa. Argentina only contributing fouls to the contest thus far.
3rd min.: Chance for Italy. An early corner led to a scuffle in the penalty area. Italy continue to apply the early pressure.
1st min.: An early free-kick goes the way of Argentina as the match gets underway
Kickoff
3 minutes to kickoff: Both national anthems have bellowed around Eden Park with a wealth of feeling and kickoff is just moments away.
10 minutes to kickoff: A traditional New Zealand performance welcomes the two sides to the pitch.
15 minutes to kickoff: The two sides are wrapping up their warm-ups as the stage is set for what feels like a huge match in Group G.
There is a party atmosphere at Eden Park with two famous sporting nations drawing a big bubbly crowd to the match.
30 minutes to kickoff: The huge story with half an hour to go is the surprise inclusion of teenage sensation, Giuila Dragoni. A product of FC Barcelona's female academy, she will be a part of Italy's central three and look to provide a spark in their opening match of the tournament.
45 minutes to kickoff: The lineups are in and It's a start in the midfield for Giuila Dragoni, at just 16 years of age!
"Little Messi", funnily enough playing against Argentina, becomes Italy's youngest ever player.
1 hour to kickoff: We're just 60 minutes away from Italy and Argentina's Group G clash. After the historic success of the men's team in Qatar last year, the nation will turn its eyes and cheers to the women. Will Banini be their hero?
1 hour 15 minutes to kickoff: Italy have stabilised their performances in recent times and will want to push on from their quarterfinal berth at the last competition. Are Italy a dark horse in 2023?
90 minutes to kickoff: Who will shine for Italy in Australia and New Zealand? Captain, Cristiana Girelli, has scored 61 goals in 74 games for Juventus since her transfer in 2018. Will this translate to the biggest stage of all?
1hour 45 minutes to kickoff: Can Yamila Rodriguez repeat her prolific turn at the Copa America and lead Argentina to an historic finish in 2023? Her six goals in that competition took the white and sky blues to a third-place finish in 2022.
2 hours to kickoff: Argentina will need to overcome an Italian side sitting twelve places ahead of them in the FIFA Women's rankings if they hope to secure their first ever win at a Women's World Cup.
In 2019, draws against Japan and Scotland gave Argentina their first World Cup points but were not enough to see them through the group stages.
Italy vs Argentina projected lineups
Italy will look towards captain Cristiana Girelli and lynchpin at the back Elena Linari to lead the side to victory, whilst exciting youngster Emma Severini could get a start in midfield.
- Italy projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Giuliani (GK) — Orsi, Linari, Salvai, Boattin — Severini, Giugliano, Caruso — Giacinti, Girelli, Bonasena.
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Argentina's key players in attack will be Mariana Larroquette and Estefania Banini, with 39-year-old goalkeeper Vanina Correa set to start at her third World Cup.
- Argentina projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Correa (GK) — Braun, Mayorga, Cometti, Stabile — Ippolito, Nunez, Benitez — Bonsegundo, Larroquete, Banini
Italy vs Argentina TV channel, live stream
The match will be shown on TV and on streaming services and online through a variety of broadcast partners worldwide.
| Country | TV | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Optus Sport | Optus Sport website/app |
| New Zealand | Sky Sports 1, Prime TV | Sky Sport NOW, Stuff World Cup website |
| USA | FS1, Telemundo (Spanish) | Fubo, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes (Spanish) |
| Canada | TSN, RDS (French) | TSN+, TSN site/app, RDS.ca (French) |
| UK | ITV | ITVX |
| Singapore | Singtel | Singtel TV GO, MeWatch |
| Hong Kong | NOW Sports Prime | NOW Sports Prime |
| Malaysia | — | FIFA Plus |
| India | — | — |